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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the ball – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

“None,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Game

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of his point total he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Run

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”