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LeBron James was aware his historic streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record was over.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer was limited to eight points during the Lakers' close victory over Toronto. He provided the decisive pass, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot to win the game.

“None,” James said after being questioned about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

A Selfless Choice Seals Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron celebrated triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James remarked. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

“LeBron is very conscious of how many points he has at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play as he has done countless times.”

The Streak's End Game

He returned to the game for the final time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record up for grabs. His tally was a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He got a bucket at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a mid-range jumper at one minute to go which could have gotten him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – though the opportunity was there. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

The History of an Unparalleled Record

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the most extended such streak the league has ever seen: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his character off the court, he executed the team play, found Rui and claimed the victory.”

Reaching double digits had long been a formality long before the start of fourth quarters. During James’s streak, he had reached ten points by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

But two of those unusual single-digit games through three quarters had occurred in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns earlier in the week.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. The very next outing, it was over – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the best play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the smart play, the game gods consistently rewarding me.”