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

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

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

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Rui connected, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I was taught the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but because of the player he is and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”