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James understood his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Win

James could have sought to clinch the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record on the line. His tally was six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He scored with 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James opted to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they will reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was easily the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays hoops. The chance was there but due to who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two such games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”