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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, when the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his character as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”