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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Streak

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”