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LeBron James was aware his historic run of scoring in double figures was at risk. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision meant distributing the ball – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended on Thursday night, as the league's career points king was limited to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James replied when asked about the streak ending. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Game

James could have tried to secure the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, but he chose to pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I’ve done that my whole career.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he has at all times,” stated Lakers coach the coach. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket with 1:46 left to knot the score then missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take another shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

This incredible run commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He had the opportunity but due to his nature as a player and his personality off the court, he executed the pass, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods took place just days before: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”