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The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated when asked on the record concluding. “We won.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the correct play,” James noted. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He scored with 1:46 left to level the contest and missed a 14-footer at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Streak

James's streak began back in January 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

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

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods forever rewarding me.”