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

The right decision involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

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

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Record

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character off the court, he made the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”