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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but given the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points 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 regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”