LeBron James has a whopping 16 triple-doubles in the playoffs, second-most in the NBA. Here’s a look back on each of those playoff triple-doubles.
Fresh off a triple-double, LeBron James clutched the shiny Larry O’Brien trophy in probably his most treasured championship win.
He became just the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double in a Game 7 in the Finals. It was his 16th career playoff triple-double and came 10 years after his first ever in 2006. Here’s a look at each of LeBron’s postseason triple-doubles over the last decade.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look at all of LeBron’s career playoff triple-doubles.
Next: April 22, 2006 vs. Washington
1. April 22, 2006 vs. Washington Wizards
In his playoff debut, LeBron scored 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 11 assists. He became just the third player after Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson, and the first since Magic Johnson, to record a triple-double in their first playoff game ever.
Final score: 97-86 Cavs
Series: Cleveland wins series 4-2
Next: May 13, 2006 vs. Detroit
2. May 13, 2006 vs. Detroit Pistons
In Game 3 of the 2006 Semi-finals, LeBron scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and posted a second triple-double in his first NBA playoffs. He finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and played all 48 minutes, getting rest only at halftime and timeouts. After the game, Cavs coach Mike Brown said:
"“Lo and behold he gets a triple-double in a second-round playoff game against possibly the best team in the league. I say it all the time — he’s special.”"
Final score: 86-77 Cavs
Series: Detroit wins series 4-3
Next: May 2, 2008 vs. Washington
3. May 2, 2008 vs. Washington Wizards
LeBron recorded a triple-double against Washington again in a contentious series in 2008, with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. After closing out the series and moving on to the semis, making it the third consecutive year that the Cavs eliminated the Wizards, on their home court, in the first round.
Final score: 105-88 Cavs
Series: Cleveland wins series 4-2
Next: May 28, 2009, vs. Orlando
4. May 28, 2009, vs. Orlando Magic
Facing elimination against Orlando, LeBron recorded a spectacular triple-double with 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. The Cavs trailed the Magic by a point at the start of the fourth quarter, but LeBron went on to score 17 points, turning the deficit into a 10-point victory.
Final score: 112-102 Cavs
Series: Orlando wins series 4-2
Next: April 25, 2010 vs. Chicago
5. April 25, 2010 vs. Chicago Bulls
LeBron scored 37 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 11 assists in Game 4 against Chicago in 2010. He made six three-pointers, which was incredible given how he isn’t known for his deep shooting. It was his fifth triple-double and came after 40 and 39-point games.
Final score: 121-98 Cavs
Series: Cleveland wins series 4-1
Next: May 13, 2010 vs. Boston
6. May 13, 2010 vs. Boston Celtics
LeBron scored 27 points and added 10 assists and an astounding 19 rebounds, matching a career-high for playoff rebounds. Despite the triple-double and the Cavs’ 61 wins, which was also the best win record in the NBA that year, the team was eliminated by the Celtics. After the loss, LeBron said:
"“The fact that it’s over right now is definitely a surprise to me. A friend of mine told me, ‘I guess you’ve got to go through a lot of nightmares before you realize your dream.’ That’s what’s going on for me individually right now.”"
This marked the last game LeBron played as a Cavalier before leaving for Miami.
Final score: 94-85 Celtics
Series: Boston wins series 4-2
Next: June 9, 2011 vs. Dallas
7. June 9, 2011 vs. Dallas Mavericks
In his first year on Miami with star teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, LeBron found himself in the Finals. In Game 5, LeBron followed up his worst playoff performance yet with a triple-double, tallying 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Final score: 112-103 Mavericks
Series: Dallas wins series 4-2
Next: June 21, 2012 vs. Oklahoma City
8. June 21, 2012 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
A year later, LeBron recorded a triple-double again in a Game 5 of the Finals, this time against Oklahoma City. He became just the fifth player after Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, James Worthy and Tim Duncan to record a triple-double in the last game of the NBA Finals.
His 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists led Miami to a victory and earned him his first ever NBA championship. After winning, LeBron said:
"“I’m happy now that eight years later, nine years later since I’ve been drafted, I can finally say that I’m a champion, and I did it the right way. I didn’t shortcut anything. You know, I put a lot of hard work and dedication in it, and hard work pays off. It’s a great moment for myself.”"
Final score: 121-96 Heat
Series: Miami wins series 4-1
Next: May 22, 2013 vs. Indiana
9. May 22, 2013 vs. Indiana Pacers
With 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, LeBron posted yet another triple-double in the playoffs. In this tight contest, LeBron also made a buzzer-beating layup, becoming the first player in NBA playoff history to have a triple-double and a buzzer-beating game-winner in the same game.
Final score: 103-102 Heat
Series: Miami wins series 4-3
Next: June 6, 2013 vs. San Antonio
10. June 6, 2013 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Back in the Finals in 2013, LeBron opened the series with a triple-double. He recorded 18 points, 10 assists and a whopping 18 rebounds. It was his second straight NBA Finals triple-double, having ended the 2012 series with one and opening this year’s with another.
Final score: 92-88 Spurs
Series: Miami wins series 4-3
Next: June 18, 2013 vs. San Antonio
11. June 18, 2013 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Facing elimination, LeBron picked up his game after a slow start, recording his second triple-double of the 2013 Finals. He recorded 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, with 16 of those points coming in the fourth quarter.
His performance helped force the game into overtime, including a crucial three-pointer with 20 seconds left in regulation, and to an eventual victory off of Ray Allen’s three-pointer.
Final score: 103-100 (OT) Heat
Series: Miami wins series 4-3
Next: May 24, 2015 vs. Atlanta
12. May 24, 2015 vs. Atlanta Hawks
After Kevin Love suffered a season-ending shoulder dislocation and with Kyrie Irving hobbled by leg injuries, LeBron had to step up his game in the Eastern Conference Finals. He recorded a performance for the ages with a triple-double of 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists. His efforts were just enough to get a win and after the game, LeBron collapsed to the floor in exhaustion.
Final score: 114-111 Cavs
Series: Cleveland wins series 4-0
Next: June 7, 2015 vs. Golden State
13. June 7, 2015 vs. Golden State Warriors
Back in the Finals, but shorthanded, LeBron recorded another stellar triple-double. He scored 39 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and dished out 11 assists in 50 minutes. Despite the Warriors being 47-3 at Oracle Arena in the 2014-15 season, LeBron carried his team to a 95-93 overtime victory in Oracle Arena. After the victory, LeBron said:
"“I tried to give it all to my teammates. And they do a great job of giving it back to me. Total team effort. To be back in the same position we were in three days ago and to come back and even the series is big time.”"
Final score: 95-93 (OT) Cavs
Series: Golden State wins series 4-2
Next: June 14, 2015 vs Golden State
14. June 14, 2015 vs Golden State Warriors
LeBron James continued his savage 2015 Finals with another spectacular performance, recording his second triple-double of the series in Game 5. He had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in 44 minutes. Still, it was not enough to win the game.
Final score: 104-91 Warriors
Series: Golden State wins series 4-2
Next: May 19, 2016 vs Toronto
15. May 19, 2016 vs. Toronto Raptors
With a triple-double, LeBron and the Cavs improved to 10-0 in the 2016 playoffs. They became just the fourth team to start the postseason with 10 straight wins, joining the Los Angeles Lakers (1989, 2001) and the San Antonio Spurs (2012). LeBron recorded 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a rout of the Toronto Raptors.
Final score: 108-89 Cavs
Series: Cleveland wins series 4-2
Next: June 19, 2016 vs. Golden State
16. June 19, 2016 vs. Golden State Warriors
Fresh off of two, 41-point performances, LeBron came out in Game 7 of the Finals hungry for the championship. He recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, becoming just the 3rd player in NBA history to record a triple-double in Game 7 of the Finals.
Behind his triple-double, LeBron and the Cavs became the 1st team to come back from down 3-1 to win in Finals and ended the 52-year major sports championship drought in Cleveland.
Next: ESPY Awards Watch: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Final score: 93-89 Cavs
Series: Cleveland wins series 4-3