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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

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

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”