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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, though, it didn't concern him.

The smart move was to pass the basketball – so he did. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

James's unprecedented streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances concluded on Thursday night, as the league's career points king was limited to eight total points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“Zero,” James said when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “We won.”

A Team-First Choice Secures the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. He acted like he’s done so many times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the win and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to level the contest but then missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go that might have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, if you do it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

The record started back in January 2007. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone was fourth on the list of 575 games.

“He’s such a team-oriented player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and just who he is as a person, he chose the unselfish play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a guarantee well before the fourth quarter began. Over the course of the record, he had reached the 10-point mark by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter against Dallas last week, then had six points going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated regardless.

My focus is to make the best play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the right play, the game gods are always returning the favor.”