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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the floor for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have taken him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”