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James understood his incredible streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Win

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

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

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. When you make the smart play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”