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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king had only eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Record

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but given who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a guarantee early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”