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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

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

The Run's End Game

He returned to the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

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

The spirits of the game, if you approach it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

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

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”