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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run finished.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He made the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James replied in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had only six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his personality as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”