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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Seals Victory

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. Always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

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

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to dish it off instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the right way, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended such streak in professional basketball: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but due to who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he made the pass, found Rui and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those rare single-digit games after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”