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James understood his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He had 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.

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

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”