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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”