Ranking LeBron’s playoff game winners

#6. Game three versus the Washington Wizards (2006)

Clutchness: 9/10

Difficulty: 7/10

Overall performance: 8/10

Average score: 8/10

In LeBron’s first playoff series of his career, he was determined to win. James scored 41 points on 57% shooting from the field. James was a threat from deep in this game, shooting 60% and nailing three three-pointers.

However, James buried the Washington Wizards with his ability to drive to the hoop. The Cavaliers trailed by one point with 22 seconds remaining. James drove hard to the basket, took a hop-step and then finished a heavily contested layup over 6’9″ Michael Ruffin. This shot by James put the Cavaliers up 2-1 in the series and would prove to be unbelievably important.

Sadly, there is one thing that is holding this shot back from being ranked higher up. That would be the fact that James clearly traveled on this play. As James pump-faked after his hop-step move, he shuffles his pivot foot multiple times. Despite finishing an insanely difficult layup, I had to remove points for the uncalled travel.