Let’s start by acknowledging that the best LeBron James games list is very hard to compile. The man has been dominating the league for the past 19 years kicking ass, taking names, and giving us a plethora of performances that are for the ages.
Throughout his career, James has won four rings and four MVPs while becoming the only man in NBA history to ever achieve 10,000 points, rebounds, and assists. The King has given us countless performances that will always be fresh in our minds.
Best LeBron James games
Ever since he entered the league, LeBron was destined for greatness. From dropping 50 points at the ripe age of 20 to passing Karl Malone for second on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, the King has had an illustrious career filled with Hall of Fame performances.
While we wait for James to bring us more memorable performances in his 20th season, let’s take a look at the top 10 greatest LeBron games ever.
10. 41 points at 19 years old (2004 – Cavs vs Nets)
41 points, six rebounds, 13 assists, 3 steals, 51% from the field
Halfway through this season, LeBron had already cemented himself as rookie of the year, but in this game against the Nets, he entered the history books as the youngest player to ever score over 40 points. James was starting to come to terms with his status and his role on the team and delivered an all-time performance that will always remain one of his best.
The Cavs were in desperate need of a win after losing four straight, and James made sure the losing streak ended there. He scored all of Cleveland’s last 10 points and iced the game with a last-second dunk.
This game is considered one of the greatest LeBron games ever showing the league what “the chosen one” was capable of.
9. 56 points at 20 years old (2005 – Cavs vs Raptors)
56 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, 50% from the field
A year after LeBron became the youngest player to score 40 points, he became the youngest to score 50. The Raptors may have secured the win, but that night belonged to the King and his stellar performance. James shot 50% from both the field and from deep while grabbing 10 boards and dishing out five assists.
His 56 points were the highest any NBA player has ever scored in Toronto.
8. Career high 61 points (2014 – Heat vs Bobcats)
61 points, seven rebounds, 4 assists, 66% from the field
This is LeBron James’ highest scoring game. While the King has had plenty of 50+ point games, this is his only 60+ point game, and it came in a stunningly efficient performance.
After breaking his nose, James was wearing the notorious mask that somehow makes good players great, and great players unfair. He shot 22 of 33 from the field and 8 of 10 from deep. This performance should be considered the best anyone has ever done in a Heat uniform as James showed all facets of his well-rounded game. He used his strength and brute force to drive to the basket, he shot the lights out from deep, and he only turned the ball over twice.
Hands down one of the top LeBron performances of all time.
7. Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 (2015 – Cavs vs Hawks)
37 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists, three steals, 37% from the field
Playing without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love meant that James had to go beast mode to win this game. What’s remarkable is that he missed his first 10 shots but still found a way to impact the game before taking over in the second half.
He finished the game with a game-ending layup in OT marking this as one of the best LeBron James games, and one of his most impressive triple-doubles.
6. NBA Finals Game 7 (2013 – Heat vs Spurs)
37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, 52% from the field
After joining the Heat and winning his first ring the previous year, James and the Heat found themselves facing the Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals. The series saw no team win two consecutive games until the decisive Game 7.
On top of the impressive stat sheet, LeBron impacted the game on both ends of the floor. He did a stellar job defending Kawhi Leonard keeping him to just five points in the last quarter. He also iced the game with a pull-up jumper in crunch time that secured Miami’s second consecutive title.
5. Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Game 4 (2012 – Heat vs Pacers)
40 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, two blocks, 52% from the field
In his first year in Miami, James found himself down 2-1 to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The dream of that elusive championship was beginning to fade away, and LeBron needed to step up in a legacy-defining game.
The King didn’t panic and gave us one of the top LeBron performances of all time. Many consider this game as his launching pad toward his first title.
4. 2016 NBA Finals Game 5 (2016 – Cavs vs. Warriors)
41 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, three blocks, 53% from the field
This was another one of those high-stakes games that LeBron James is born for. James was one loss away from losing his third straight Finals and knew he had to have a stellar performance.
LeBron and Kyrie both finished with 41 points sparking the historic comeback that brought Cleveland its first chip.
3. NBA Finals Game 6 (2016 – Cavs vs Warriors)
41 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, four steals, three blocks, 59% from the field
After winning Game 5, the Cavs had all the momentum, and LeBron was not going to be denied. Coming off an already all-time performance the game before, James picked up right where he left off leaving us all in awe at his basketball genius.
James outplayed Stephan Curry all game and swatted his layup attempt while barking at him. The Cavs forced Game 7 in one of the best LeBron James games.
2. NBA Finals Game 7 (2016 – Cavs vs Warriors)
27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, two blocks, 37% from the field
What better way is there to win an NBA title than by coming back from a 3-1 deficit against a team that won a record 73 regular season games?
The Warriors were already spiraling out of control before Game 7. But LeBron still delivered a spectacular triple-double capped by the iconic chase-down block on Andre Iguodala.
In one of the greatest LeBron games ever, the King finally delivered on his promise to Cleveland and brought the Larry O’Brien trophy home.
1. Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 (2012 Heat vs Celtics)
45 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, 73% from the field
Who can forget LeBron’s mean mug in this game?
After leaving Cleveland to join Dwyane Wade in Miami and losing to the Mavs in the Finals, LeBron’s legacy was hanging in the balance. The Heat found themselves facing elimination in Game 6 against the Celtics in TD garden.
LeBron put together one of the most complete performances of all time, shooting 19 out of 26 from the field. Out of LeBron’s numerous statement games, this one was the most iconic as the King seemed to be furiously locked in from start to finish.
LeBron delivered one of his all-time performances that eventually culminated in his first ring.
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