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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Delivers the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I learned to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”