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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of reaching double digits was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Consequently, the legendary streak came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, as basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the game-winning assist, feeding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “We won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the contest – and preserved his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to Rui in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

“Just playing the game correctly. You always make the smart play,” James explained. “That’s just been how I operate. That is the way I learned the game. That's what I've done my whole career.”

“LeBron is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” said the team's head coach the coach. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the win and the streak on the line. He had only six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go that might have pushed him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, however, James opted to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they will repay you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Streak

The record commenced back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest streak of its kind the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list at 575.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” said teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to who he is on the court and his personality off the court, he executed the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and claimed the game.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality well before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had reached double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, and then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it finished – and he celebrated all the same.

My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. “You make the smart play, the basketball gods are always returning the favor.”