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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

James could have attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record on the line. His tally was only six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures 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 had happened just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”