10 amazing stats from LeBron’s 51-point Game 1 performance

Brad Fay and Dennis Scott talk about J.R. Smith’s gaffe that changed Game 1 of the NBA Finals and the play of LeBron James.

Sportsnet Staff June 1, 2018, 2:31 PM

There are a lot of ways to describe LeBron James’ 51-point effort in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Remarkable. Historic. God-like. Ungodly. These are just some of the terms tossed around to recount James’ 51.

No matter how you want to describe it, though, there’s no doubt LeBron’s performance elicited some kind of emotional response, whether you were watching it live or even just checking the game’s box score.

But digging deeper into some of the stats behind those 51 points will give you even more appreciation for what The King did Thursday night.

Here are 10 of the best:

LeBron James is the 6th player in history to score 50 points in an #NBAFinals game pic.twitter.com/XACyfH44ck

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 1, 2018

LeBron James records the 5th highest point total in an #NBAFinals game.

The other 4 players on this list were fortunate enough to get the W pic.twitter.com/9TuZ45PqvI

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 1, 2018

LeBron James is the only player in NBA history to score or assist on 70 Pts in a Finals game and lose. He's done it on 2 occasions – both against the Warriors (also 2015).

Jerry West (twice) and Walt Frazier are the only other players to score or assist on 70 Pts in the Finals.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 1, 2018

#Cavs LeBron James scores a career-high 51 playoff points. He is the first player with 50+ points in an #NBAFinals game since Michael Jordan on June 16, 1993. pic.twitter.com/BPTp4xUY5t

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 1, 2018

Most 40-point games, #NBAFinals history

Jerry West 10
LeBron James 7
Michael Jordan 6
Shaquille O'Neal 5

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 1, 2018

LeBron James notches his 8th 40-point game of this postseason, tying Jerry West (1965) for the most in a single postseason in NBA history.

LeBron has 7 games of 40+ points in the NBA Finals, trailing only Jerry West's 10 for the most in Finals history. pic.twitter.com/BQlBPDCzao

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 1, 2018

LeBron James scores 20 points in a half of an #NBAFinals game for the 17th time in his career.

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 1, 2018

LeBron James has scored 30 points or more for the 109th time in his playoff career, tying Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games in postseason history.

James is seeking the first 50-point game of his postseason career. pic.twitter.com/laYynJAAKF

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 1, 2018

Most Points Scored In a Game 1
of #NBAFinals

Jerry West (1969) 53
Allen Iverson (2001) 48
LeBron James (2018) 46 (so far)
Shaquille O’Neal (2001) 44
LeBron James (2015) 44

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 1, 2018

According to Second Spectrum…

LeBron James had 28 direct isolation plays in Game 1, 7 more than he's had in any game over the last 3 seasons (including playoffs).

James' 30 direct drives are 9 more than he's had in any game over the last 3 seasons (including playoffs).

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 1, 2018

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