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The Lakers star knew his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”