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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak up for grabs. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”