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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer as time expired.

“None,” James stated after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Game

He might have attempted to win the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, instead, he decided to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have pushed him to ten points.

He avoided taking another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but due to who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. When you make the right play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”