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

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. It's how I learned to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at any point,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his character off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities are always giving back to me.”