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James understood his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king had only eight points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Streak

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”