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James understood his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his character off the court, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”