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James understood his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the rock – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers Victory

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the longest such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”