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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they often repay you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

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

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”