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

The correct basketball play meant distributing the basketball – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances concluded during a recent game, as the league's career points king had only a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the clutch helper, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-pointer at the buzzer.

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

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – and extended his record – with the last shot, yet he opted to pass to his teammate in the left corner. Rui connected, prompting James exulted with his hands in the air.

“Just playing the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I learned to play. I've played that way throughout my career.”

James is fully cognizant of how many points he's scored at any point,” commented the team's head coach the coach. “He did it as he has done countless times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the floor for the final time with just over five minutes left, the win and the streak up for grabs. His tally was six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a shot at one minute to go which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, however, James chose to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

The basketball deities, if you do it the proper way, they often bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Staggering Record

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the longest such streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing the sport. He could have shot but because of his nature as a player and his character off the court, he chose the team play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been a formality early in the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had attained ten points by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had happened recently: He recorded nine entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive against the Suns. One game later, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. “You make the right play, the sports deities consistently returning the favor.”