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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of scoring in double figures was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record finished.

James's staggering run of over 1,200 straight regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer had only a mere eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“None,” James said after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals Victory

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – with the last shot, yet he opted to dish the ball to Rui in the left corner. Rui connected, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

“Just playing basketball correctly. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. It's how I was taught the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

James is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach the coach. “He did it as he has done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest and missed a shot with one minute to go that would have taken him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they tend to reward you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on a Staggering Record

James's streak commenced on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the most extended such streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing the sport. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his character off the court, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James affirmed. “You make the right play, the basketball gods forever rewarding me.”