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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a shot with one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James chose to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Run

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”