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The Lakers star knew his historic run of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Seals Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot with one minute to go that would have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

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

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”