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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked 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 an individual, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”