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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Seals the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Record

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”