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James understood his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

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

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Win

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That is how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

James re-entered the game for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. He had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they will reward you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”