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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the ball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James decided to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”