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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's staggering run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only a mere eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Play Seals the Win

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Hachimura in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James raised his arms with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I learned to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

He is acutely aware of his point total he's scored during a game,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game and missed a mid-range jumper with 1:01 left that would have gotten him to ten points.

He passed up another shot – but could have. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, however, James decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

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

The History of a Monumental Streak

This incredible run started over eighteen years ago. It stood as the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the sport. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is as an individual, he made the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality early in the final period. Throughout his run, he had attained ten points by the start of the fourth over twelve hundred times prior to Thursday.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James affirmed. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”