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James understood his incredible run of scoring in double figures was at risk. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only eight points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals Victory

He might have attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”