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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record up for grabs. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”