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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

He might have attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Record

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he made the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”