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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of reaching double digits was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as basketball's greatest scorer had only eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, feeding Rui Hachimura for a triple at the buzzer.

“Zero,” James replied after being questioned regarding the conclusion of his run. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Delivers the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – and extended his record – on the final possession, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball correctly. Make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That’s how I was instructed the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at under five and a half minutes to go, the win and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot at 1:01 left which could have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James opted to dish it off instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you approach it the right way, they will repay you,” the coach concluded.

A Look Back at a Staggering Record

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended such streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had achieved the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in keep the streak alive against the Suns. In the following contest, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

My focus is to make the correct play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the right play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”