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James understood his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

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

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers Victory

James could have attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”