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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of scoring in double figures was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Run

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred just days before: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”