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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten was snapped during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored during a game,” stated the team's head coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such games below ten points through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. “You make the smart play, the sports deities are always returning the favor.”