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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Play Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that might have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the right way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but given the player he is and his character as an individual, he chose the pass, found Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two such games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”