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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of reaching double digits was in danger. At the decisive instant, however, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said in response on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest one last time with 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left which could have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Record

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James said. “You make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”