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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”