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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

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

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

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

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”