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James understood his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Win

James could have attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate found him as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

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

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”