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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”