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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the ball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. He had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the right play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”