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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play the game the right way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

The record started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his character off the court, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”