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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot with one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the extra pass instead.

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

The History of a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”