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James understood his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, as the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“None,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Win

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I learned the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have taken him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Staggering Record

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”