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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the smart play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”