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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Win

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the sports deities consistently giving back to me.”