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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his character as a person, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”