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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Play Seals Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a shot with one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his character off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”