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James understood his historic run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – so he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record up for grabs. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they will bless you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality early in the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”