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LeBron James was aware his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. When it mattered most, however, it didn't concern him.

The right decision was to pass the ball – and he executed. With that selfless act, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's staggering run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped during a recent game, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura for a three-point shot at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James stated in response about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Team-First Decision Secures the Game

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – on the final possession, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Hachimura stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, prompting James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play the game correctly. You always make the right play,” James remarked. That has always been my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at any point,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

He returned to the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and his personal record up for grabs. At that stage, he had only six points from 3-of-15 shooting then.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that would have gotten him into double figures.

He didn’t take another shot – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James opted to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they often repay you,” Redick added.

A Look Back at a Monumental Run

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended streak of its kind the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and The Mailman recorded at 575.

He is such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing the game of basketball. He could have shot but due to the player he is and his personality as a person, he chose the team play, passed it to Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had typically been an afterthought early in the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth 1,266 times before this game.

However, two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas last week, followed by six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced all the same.

“I always just make the right play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the right play, the sports deities are always rewarding me.”