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James understood his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. Always make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”