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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Game

He might have tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of 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

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his character as a person, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”