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James understood his monumental streak of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He made the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed to play. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

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

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”