Here's Proof That LeBron James Played One Of The Best Playoff Games Ever Last Night
Redeem now Lebron James put up 45 points on 19 for 26 shooting, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in last night's single-handed evisceration of the Boston Celtics.
We dug up some stats to put the performance in context with the help of Basketball-Reference's Play Index (which only goes back to 1985).
As you can see, it was brilliant:
- It's the first time someone put up 45-15-5 while shooting 70% or better from the field in any game (regular season or playoffs), since at least 1985.
- It's the first time someone put up 45-15-5 since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964 (via ESPN Stats & Info)
- He scored 46% of his team's points, grabbed 20% of his team's rebounds, and dished out 32% of his team's assists.
- Only LeBron and Dwight Howard last year against Atlanta have scored 45 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while taking 26 or fewer shots, since at least 1985.
- He was 7-7 for 15 points in post-up situations, and 15 of his 19 buckets were unassisted (via ESPN Stats & Info)
Add in the weight of the situation — a road elimination game in the Eastern Conference Finals for one of the most scrutinized teams in sports history — and you get one of the best playoff performances ever.
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