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James understood his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. He made the play like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the floor for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak up for grabs. He had only six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He scored at 1:46 left to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they tend to repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Streak

The record began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the longest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”