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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA 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' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and the streak on the line. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Record

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the right play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”