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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

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

A Selfless Play Secures the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

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

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Staggering Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest such streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”