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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, however, it didn't concern him.

The correct basketball play was to pass the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points was snapped on Thursday night, when the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight total points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple at the buzzer.

“None,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers the Win

James could have tried to secure the contest – and preserved his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James celebrated immediately.

It's about playing basketball correctly. You always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I was taught to play. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is acutely aware of how many points he has during a game,” stated Lakers coach the coach. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”

The Run's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the game for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from a 3-for-15 performance then.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to tie the game then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left that would have pushed him into double figures.

He didn’t take one more attempt – but could have. Austin Reaves gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron chose to make the pass instead of shooting.

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

A Look Back at a Monumental Record

This incredible run began back in January 2007. It stood as the greatest double-digit streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run at 575.

He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked teammate a fellow Laker.

“He’s just playing hoops. The chance was there but due to the player he is and his character as a person, he chose the pass, passed it to Rui and secured the game.”

Scoring in double figures was usually a formality well before the start of fourth quarters. Throughout his run, he had attained double figures entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions before this game.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods had happened in the last week: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. The very next outing, it finished – but he still rejoiced anyway.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods are always rewarding me.”