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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, however, James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality as a person, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”