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The Lakers star knew his historic run of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”