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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play the game the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he has during a game,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have taken him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the pass, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”