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James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

He might have tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of his point total he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”