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LeBron James was aware his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, when the league's career points king had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals Victory

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his character off the court, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”