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

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

He might have tried to secure the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That is my philosophy. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James decided to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his personality as a person, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a guarantee long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”