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LeBron James was aware his historic run of reaching double digits was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has at any point,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves passed him the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded with 575.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but because of who he is on the court and his personality as an individual, he made the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the right play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”