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James understood his monumental streak 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 basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“None,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

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