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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The smart move involved passing the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten ended on Thursday night, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball the proper way. Make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was taught to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Run's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result along with the historic run on the line. He had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that might have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron chose to dish it off instead.

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

The History of a Monumental Run

The record began back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and just who he is off the court, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it was over – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”