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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Game

He might have tried to secure the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go which could have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, but James opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”