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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”