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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they tend to repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”