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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the rock – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.

You have to play basketball correctly. You always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six points 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 concluded – and he celebrated regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”