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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his character off the court, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

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

My focus is to make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”