LeBron James's Historic Scoring Run Comes to a Close, But Los Angeles Pull Off Triumph Over Toronto.

James understood his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, however, he wasn't bothered.

The correct basketball play involved passing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season double-digit scoring performances was snapped during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple to win the game.

“Zero,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Choice Seals the Win

LeBron had the chance to attempted to win the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, but he chose to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James raised his arms triumphantly.

It's about playing the game the right way. Always make the smart play,” James noted. That has always been how I operate. That is the way I was instructed to play. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

“LeBron is fully cognizant of his point total he has at any point,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

LeBron checked back into the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run up for grabs. At that stage, he had a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He scored at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a mid-range jumper with one minute to go that might have pushed him to ten points.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate gave James the ball as time wound down, but James opted to make the extra pass instead.

The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.

The History of a Staggering Record

James's streak began back in January 2007. It was easily the longest double-digit streak in professional basketball: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.

LeBron is such an unselfish player,” noted teammate a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but given the player he is and just who he is off the court, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Reaching double digits had long been an afterthought well before the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had reached ten points entering the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six before the fourth quarter versus the Suns on Monday night.

James managed to preserve the record in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

“I always just make the best play. That’s automatic, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the smart play, the game gods are always rewarding me.”