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James understood his historic streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”