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James understood his monumental run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the floor one last time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but due to who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality long before 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 prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”