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James understood his incredible run of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Record's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time with just over five minutes left, the outcome and his personal record on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He scored with 1:46 left to tie the game but then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the longest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

LeBron is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but given his nature as a player and his character as an individual, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth 1,266 times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the best play. That’s automatic, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”