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James understood his incredible run of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot with one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”