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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, and James exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is very conscious of his point total he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result and his personal record on the line. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest such streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”