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James understood his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record up for grabs. He had six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

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

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the smart play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”