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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Streak

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just 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 pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. When you make the right play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”