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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Secures Victory

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. He had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

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

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the right way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Record

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

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

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”