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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they tend to repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”