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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, when the league's career points king had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

The record commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given the player he is and his character as an individual, he executed the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”