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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was taught the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his character off the court, he made the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”