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The Lakers star knew his incredible run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points during the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Selfless Decision Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James raised his arms immediately.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That is my philosophy. It's how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at 1:46 left to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron opted to make the pass instead.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

This incredible run started back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times before this game.

However, two such single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. When you make the right play, the sports deities forever rewarding me.”