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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”