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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Secures Victory

He might have attempted to win the contest – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Run

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games after three periods had occurred recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently rewarding me.”