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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

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

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Streak

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he made the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”