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

The right decision meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Run

The record started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the team play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”