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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as the league's career points king finished with eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted immediately.

“Just playing basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded of 575 games.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”