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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”