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James understood his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Record

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his character as a person, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”