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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. Always make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he has at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but given the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

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

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”