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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Win

He might have attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”