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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

James's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus Toronto. He delivered the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – while also extending his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game correctly. Make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he's scored at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance then.

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

He passed up another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate found him with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the extra pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

The record commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

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

He simply plays the sport. The chance was there but given the player he is and his personality off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a guarantee well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points after three periods took place recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

James managed to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

I only ever make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”