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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“None,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

“Just playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”