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LeBron James was aware his historic run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him in the waning seconds, but James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Run

The record commenced back in January 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and just who he is off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities consistently rewarding me.”