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James understood his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the ball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Win

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the right way. Always make the right play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his character as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”