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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak 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 finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers Victory

He might have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record on the line. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot at one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”