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The Lakers star knew 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 – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James replied when asked on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Decision Delivers the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – while also extending his record – on the final possession, but he chose to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

“Just playing the game correctly. Always make the correct play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said Lakers coach the coach. He acted as he has done so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the floor one last time at under five and a half minutes to go, the outcome along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a shot with 1:01 left which could have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball as time wound down, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but because of the player he is and his personality off the court, he made the pass, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures had typically been an afterthought long before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He recorded nine entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

James managed to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

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