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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the ball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the result and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Monumental Record

The record started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”