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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

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

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers the Win

He might have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms immediately.

You have to play the game correctly. Make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often reward you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”