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

The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Record

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”