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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the extra pass instead.

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

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was easily the longest such streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”