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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play involved passing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, the legendary streak finished.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms immediately.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

He returned to the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James decided to make the pass instead.

The spirits of the game, when you play it correctly, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Record

This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but because of his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”