LeBron James' Best Playoff Performances

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 2, 2013

LeBron James' Best Playoff Performances

June 18, 2013 vs. San Antonio

With the Heat facing elimination in Game 6 of the Finals, James shook off a slow first half to score 16 fourth-quarter points, including a key three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. He finished with his second triple-double of the 2013 Finals, tallying 32 points (on 11-for-26 shooting), 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the Heat's 103-100 OT victory over the Spurs.

May 22, 2013 vs. Indiana

James capped off a triple-double (30 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds) with a buzzer-beating, game-winning layup in overtime that gave the Heat a win in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference finals series against the Pacers. According to ESPN Stats & Information, James was the first player in NBA playoff history to record a triple-double and buzzer-beating game-winner in the same game.

June 19, 2012, vs. Oklahoma City

James was heavily criticized for his play in Miami's Finals loss to Dallas in 2011, but it was hard to quibble with the three-time MVP's performance a year later against Oklahoma City. Exhibit A was Game 4. Just minutes after leaving the game with leg cramps, James returned to nail a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:50 left as the Heat defeated the Thunder 104-98. LeBron finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists for the Heat, who took a 3-1 series lead en route to winning James' first championship two nights later.

June 7, 2012, at Boston

With the Heat facing elimination, James erupted for 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a 98-79 victory. James joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to post a 45-15-5 line in a playoff game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Even more impressive, he made 19-of-26 shots from the field, including 12 in a row after missing his first attempt.

May 20, 2012, at Indiana

Miami trailed 2-1 in the series and got off to an awful start in Game 4. But James responded with an all-around gem that included 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as he teamed up with Dwyane Wade to spark a 101-93 victory, with the two stars scoring 38 consecutive Miami points at one stage. The Heat won the next two games, too, to close out the upstart Pacers.

April 25, 2010, at Chicago

Fresh off 40- and 39-point performances against Chicago, James kept up his torrid pace by going for 37 points while adding 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his fifth career triple-double. Perhaps most notable: LeBron, not known for his deep shooting, nailed six three-pointers in Cleveland's 121-98 rout.

May 28, 2009, vs. Orlando

James had a series of spectacular performances in this series (click on for more), the last being a 37-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist outing that kept Cleveland alive (the Cavaliers, though, would be eliminated in Game 6 at Orlando as LeBron struggled). LeBron scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, which started with the Cavs trailing by a point and ended with their pulling away for a 112-102 victory.

May 22, 2009, vs. Orlando

This game will be remembered for having the signature shot of James' career: a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer to punctuate his 35-point effort and even the series at 1-1.

May 20, 2009, vs. Orlando

Before his Game 2 buzzer-beater, James opened the series by setting a franchise record with 49 points (on 20-of-30 shooting from the field). But Orlando rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to win 107-106.

May 9, 2009, at Atlanta

Hawks forward Josh Smith described James as being "out of his mind." That was a fitting summation of LeBron's performance: 47 points and 15-of-25 shooting from the field, along with 12 rebounds, eight assists and only one turnover.

May 18, 2008, at Boston

James scored 45 points and Paul Pierce countered with 41 in a memorable Game 7 duel. Pierce's Celtics edged James' Cavaliers 97-82.

May 31, 2007, at Detroit

James famously scored Cleveland's last 25 points (and 48 overall) in a double-overtime victory. The Cavaliers also won Game 6 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history and become the third team to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the conference finals.

May 3, 2006, vs. Washington

LeBron's game-winning, last-second layup lifted the Cavaliers to a 121-120 overtime victory, gave them a 3-2 series lead and capped a performance in which he finished with 45 points, seven rebounds and six assists.