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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record on the line. He had six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it correctly, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character off the court, he made the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”