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LeBron James was aware his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run finished.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Decision Secures Victory

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated triumphantly.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. It's how I learned the game. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the proper way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his character as an individual, he made the team play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the right play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”