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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers Victory

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”