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LeBron James was aware his incredible run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. When it mattered most, though, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision meant distributing the rock – which is exactly what he did. With that selfless act, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's unprecedented run of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded this past Thursday, as the league's career points king finished with eight points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against Toronto. He made the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura for a triple to win the game.

“Nothing,” James said in response regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Delivers the Win

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron raised his arms triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the proper way. Always make the smart play,” James explained. That is how I operate. It's how I was taught the game. I've played that way for two decades.”

James is very conscious of his point total he has at all times,” commented Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

LeBron checked back into the floor for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. His tally was a mere six points from a 3-for-15 performance by that point.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to knot the score but then missed a shot with 1:01 left that might have taken him to double digits.

He avoided taking another shot – though the opportunity was there. A teammate passed him the ball with a few seconds left, yet LeBron decided to make the pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it correctly, they often reward you,” Redick stated.

A Look Back at an Unparalleled Run

The record started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was easily the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787, and Karl Malone recorded at 575.

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

He focuses on playing hoops. He had the opportunity but due to the player he is and just who he is off the court, he executed the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points had long been an afterthought long before the final period. Throughout his run, he had reached the 10-point mark by the start of the fourth on the vast majority of occasions prior to Thursday.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had happened just days before: He had nine points entering the final quarter versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, win, lose or draw,” James declared. “You make the right play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”