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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that would have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”