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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his character off the court, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. If you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”