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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

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

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Decision Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he executed the pass, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”