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James understood his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

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

A Team-First Decision Delivers the Game

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

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

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”