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James understood his incredible run of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when the league's career points king was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

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