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James understood his historic run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

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

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record on the line. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”