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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached 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 after three periods had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”