LeBron James sets Finals record for most points through three games

LeBron James scored 40 points in a 96–91 win in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors. James set the NBA record for most points through the first three games of an NBA Finals.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Jun 10, 2015

For LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, it was as easy as 1–2–3.

James scored 40 points in the Cavaliers' Game 3 NBA Finals 96–91 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, bringing his three-game total to 123 points, the most ever scored by a player through the first three games of the Finals.

James shot 14 for 34, including 2-of-6 from three-point range, and led the Cavaliers to a 2-1 lead in the finals despite the absence of star guard Kyrie Irving.

James's 40-point effort followed 44-point and 39-point efforts in Games 1 and 2.

Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where Cleveland will try to take a 3-1 lead on its home floor, takes place Thursday at 9 pm ET.

Some of James' highlights are below.

• MORE NBA: LeBron-Dellavedova unlikely duo | Curry's Game 3 struggles

• MORE NBA: Game 3 preview | Highlights | Playoff coverage | Schedule

GALLERY: Sports Illustrated's best photos from Game 3 of NBA Finals

SI's Best Photos From Game 3 of the NBA Finals

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

SI's Best Photos from Game 3: Matthew Dellavedova rose to the occasion again for the Cavaliers in Game 3, scoring 20 points and making several hustle plays to help Cleveland win 96-91 to grab a two games to one lead in the NBA Finals.

LeBron James converted this alley-oop pass from Matthew Dellavedova (far right) for a pivotal basket in the fourth quarter.

Despite Steph Curry's attempt to hold Matthew Dellavedova back, the Cavs guard kept driving toward the basket on this play and hit a circus shot off the glass and drew a foul.

Steph Curry found his shooting touch in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 points as the Warriors, who trailed by 20 in the third quarter, refused to go away. (Text credit: AP)