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James understood his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. It's how I learned the game. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have pushed him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

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

The History of a Monumental Record

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and his character as a person, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”