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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“None,” James replied in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: 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 at 575.

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

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”