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James understood his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Game

He might have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Record

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the pass, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”