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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

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

An Unselfish Play Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak on the line. He had six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go that would have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of the player he is and his character as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”