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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals Victory

He might have sought to clinch the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left which could have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the proper way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods consistently returning the favor.”