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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his character as an individual, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”