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LeBron James was aware his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James chose to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but given the player he is and his personality off the court, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”