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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was taught the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest such streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”