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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate on the wing. Rui connected, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball correctly. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket with 1:46 left to level the contest but then missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his personality as an individual, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee well before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters had happened in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it finished – and he celebrated anyway.

I only ever make the right play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. “You make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”