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James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer 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, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two such games below ten points through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”