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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

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

An Unselfish Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”