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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have gotten 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, but James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”