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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures Victory

He might have tried to secure the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that might have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Run

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and just who he is as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”