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James understood his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Game

He might have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. His tally was six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, but James decided to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is as a person, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place just days before: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”