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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, however, James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two such games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the right play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”