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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot at one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”