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James understood his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Record

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the basketball gods are always giving back to me.”