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The Lakers star knew his historic run of scoring in double figures was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. He had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

The record started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he chose the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”