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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Streak

The record commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”