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James understood his incredible run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they will repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he made the pass, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”