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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was threatened. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move involved passing the rock – and he executed. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He made the decisive pass, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and preserved the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Rui connected, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game the right way. You always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. It's how I was instructed to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Record's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game one last time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was only six points on 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left that would have gotten him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it the proper way, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Staggering Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had long been a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached the 10-point mark entering the fourth over twelve hundred times before this game.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had occurred recently: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the right play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. “You make the right play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”