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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple as time expired.

“None,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers the Win

He might have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the game one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the longest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character as a person, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the smart play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”