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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak started back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his character as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”