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James understood his monumental run of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

James's streak commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he executed the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”