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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”