SN Stats: Inside LeBron’s historic triple-double

LeBron James started off slow, but became next to unstoppable to record a triple-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 114-111 win in overtime on Sunday night over the Hawks.

It was a performance fit for a King. Up 2-0 in Cleveland’s third-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, and with his de facto Robin (Kyrie Irving) sidelined, LeBron James carried the Cavs to victory with one of the most dominant efforts in playoff history, 37 points. 18 rebounds. 13 assists (and three steals for good measure).

As you may know by now, we’ve never seen a post-season triple-double with those stat totals ever before. But here are some more facts to help put LeBron’s historic night in context:

  • James became the first player since Charles Barkley in 1993 to record 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a playoff game- all this despite missing his first 10 shot attempts last night.

  • James has now recorded six playoff games with at least 30-10-10 (only Oscar Robertson has more such games, 8).

  • James tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 3rd most career 30+ point playoff games last night (75).

  • James is now the only player to ever attempt 37 field goals and manage 13 assists in the playoffs. As far back as basketball-reference tracks individual game stats- 1985- it’s never been done in a regular season game.

  • 22 of his points came in the 2nd half last night, while James added another 5 in overtime (scored 10 in the first half).

  • James is looking to become the first player to play in 5 straight NBA Finals since Bill Russell played in 10 straight from 1957 to 1966.

    • LeBron James: Game 3 breakdown
    1st Half 2nd Half Overtime
    Points 10 22 5
    Rebounds 8 9 1
    Assists 5 7 1
    Most Triple-Doubles in NBA Playoffs
    Rank Player Total
    1 Earvin “Magic” Johnson 30
    2 LeBron James 12
    T3 Larry Bird 11
    T3 Jason Kidd 11
    4 Rajon Rondo 10
    Most playoff points in NBA history
    Rank Player Total
    1 Michael Jordan 5,987
    2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,762
    3 Kobe Bryant 5,640
    4 Shaquille O’Neal 5,250
    5 Tim Duncan 5,113
    6 LeBron James 4,782

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