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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”