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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Seals the Game

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending his record – with the last shot, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot with 1:01 left that would have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead.

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

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

I only ever make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”