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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”