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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, when the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

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

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”