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James understood his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Decision Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the proper way. Make the smart play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I was taught the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had six points on a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Staggering Streak

James's streak started over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the pass, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – yet he was celebrating anyway.

My focus is to make the right play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently returning the favor.”