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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“None,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he has at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”