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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

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

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”