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James understood his historic streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten 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 decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Streak

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”