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

The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the floor for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”