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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season outings scoring at least ten concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer to win the game.

“None,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Decision Secures Victory

He might have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been how I operate. It's how I learned to play. That's what I've done for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he has at all times,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor one last time at just over five minutes left, the outcome and the streak on the line. His tally was a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket with under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James opted to make the pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you approach it correctly, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

The History of a Staggering Run

James's streak commenced over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his personality as an individual, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a guarantee long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had achieved double figures by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. If you make the smart play, the sports deities forever returning the favor.”