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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of reaching double digits was threatened. When it mattered most, though, it was not his focus.

The correct basketball play meant distributing the rock – and he executed. Following that play, his remarkable run was over.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped this past Thursday, when the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot as time expired.

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

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Game

He might have tried to secure the game – and preserved the streak – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

You have to play the game correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. “That’s just been my M.O.. That is the way I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has countless times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the game one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points on a 3-for-15 performance at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate found him as time wound down, however, James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the right way, they often bless you,” Redick added.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

James's streak started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and Karl Malone recorded of 575 games.

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

“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he chose the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those unusual games below ten points through three quarters took place recently: He had nine points going into the fourth against Dallas last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. If you make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”