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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points in the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He made the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. When you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”