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

The smart move was to pass the ball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”