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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. 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 through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”