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The Lakers star knew his historic run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

James's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against Toronto. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Game

LeBron had the chance to sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, but he chose to dish the ball to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done for two decades.”

James is very conscious exactly how many points he has during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it as he has done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

He returned to the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot at one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

The record began back in January 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak in NBA history: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

LeBron is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his character off the court, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He recorded nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – and he celebrated anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”