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James understood his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record finished.

James's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight total points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers the Game

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and extended the streak – on the final possession, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.

It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was instructed to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

He is acutely aware of how many points he has during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time at just over five minutes left, the win along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3 for 15 from the field at that juncture.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the pass instead.

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

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

The record began over eighteen years ago. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but given who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he made the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare games below ten points through three quarters took place in the last week: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks on 28 November, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the right play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James declared. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently returning the favor.”