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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at any point,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere 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 shot with 1:01 left that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”