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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Delivers the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Rui connected, and James raised his arms immediately.

It's about playing the game correctly. Make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I was instructed to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have taken him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you approach it the right way, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

“He’s just playing the sport. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his character as an individual, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to preserve the record against the Suns. One game later, it finished – but he still rejoiced all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”