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James understood his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

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

A Selfless Decision Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his character as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”