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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, as the league's career points king had only eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final 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 on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but due to who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”