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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record on the line. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Streak

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”