LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is currently enjoying his summer vacation after helping his team reach the Western Conference Finals yet again.
Even though he didn’t get the chance to play in the Finals this year, many fans are commemorating a very special playoff performance from the beginning of his career.
16 years ago, James had one of the most stunning and memorable playoff showings of all time.
Playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in just his second postseason, James scored 48 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in a huge win over the Detroit Pistons.
As highlighted by ESPN, James had 25 straight points and scored the last 29 of 30 for the Cavaliers.
He also scored the pivotal game-winning points in double-overtime.
16 years ago today, LeBron James put up one of the greatest playoff performances ever:
👑 48 Pts / 9 Reb / 7 Ast
👑 25 straight points
👑 29 of the last 30
👑 Game-winner in 2nd OTHe was just 22 years old 😳 pic.twitter.com/qnrXldgVY6
— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2023
At this point, the Cavaliers had already dispatched both the Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
They were off to a good start in their series against the Pistons, winning the first two games.
The third game was Detroit’s chance to get back into contention and score a pivotal home win.
But James had other ideas and willed himself and his team across the finish line, winning by just two points with a monster effort that is being celebrated again today.
Days later, the Cavs would beat the Pistons one more time to earn their second sweep of the playoffs.
Unfortunately for them, they would face their own sweep just days later as they fell at the hands of the powerful San Antonio Spurs, giving James his first taste of Finals defeat.
He may not have won the Finals that year but this game against the Pistons was the first time that many people saw the raw, unstoppable power James held.
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