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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix 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 anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”