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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of reaching double digits was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the ball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to eight total points in the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Win

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and extended the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James noted. “That’s just been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that would have gotten him to double digits.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his character as a person, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a formality well before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever returning the favor.”