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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have taken him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”