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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record on the line. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left which could have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”