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The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the ball – so he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded on Thursday night, when basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points in the Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer as time expired.

“Zero,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to his teammate stationed in the corner. Rui connected, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game the proper way. Make the correct play,” James explained. That is how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach the coach. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him as time wound down, but James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Record

The record began back in January 2007. It stood as the longest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he made the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two such games below ten points after three periods had happened just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”