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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to dish it off instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character as a person, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”