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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”