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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Play Delivers Victory

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”