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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as basketball's greatest scorer finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the game one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

This incredible run commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the pass, found Rui and we won the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”