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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a triple as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Delivers Victory

He might have attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That is the way I was taught to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the proper way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Record

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”