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LeBron James was aware his monumental streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the decisive pass, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Play Delivers the Game

James could have attempted to win the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record on the line. His tally was only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a shot with one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing hoops. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his character as a person, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

But two of those rare single-digit games after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

James managed to keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the right play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”