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James understood his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Game

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”