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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

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

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”