LeBron James vs. Cleveland: Top performance against Cavaliers

LeBron James returns to familiar territory on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers face the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road.

Born in Akron, Ohio, James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in the city, becoming one of the most highly touted prospects in the country. The Cavaliers selected James with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

James, who spent 11 seasons with the Cavaliers in two separate stints with the team, often shifts into extra gear when he gets home. He has a 9-2 record and is averaging 31.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game on 54% shooting when playing against Cleveland.

Last season, James described the return to play at home as ‘just special’.

“It’s always a cool feeling to step back on this floor, look up and pretty much be part of all the banners in this arena,” James said. “And the No. 1 flag, which is in the middle, was that ’16 championship, so that’s pretty cool.”

Here’s a look back at James’ notable games against the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Date: March 21, 2022

Statistics: 38 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, 58.6% shooting

Results: 131-120 Lakers win

In the middle of an offseason in Los Angeles, James dominated on his trip back home.

He scored 17 points in the second quarter en route to a 38-point triple-double, becoming the sixth player in NBA history with at least three triple-doubles against his former team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

It also marked his third triple-double against the Cavaliers, all of whom have come on the road. The only other players in NBA history with three triple-doubles against their former team in their building are Domantas Sabonis and Fat Lever. His 38 points are the second most in a triple-double against a player’s former team.

LeBron’s performance also included his former Cavaliers teammate, Kevin Love, who was on the end of a memorable high. James hit emphatically over Love near the end of the second quarter. The King then joked that he was hopefully still invited to Love’s wedding.

---

Date: January 25, 2021

Statistics: 46 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 73.1% shooting

Results: 115-108 Lakers win

James won’t need any extra motivation when he returns to Cleveland. But this time it didn’t hurt.

Near the end of the third quarter, he had a back-and-forth conversation with a person courtside, who James said was a member of the Cavaliers’ front office.

“I felt like he was a little too excited to see me miss,” he said.

It resulted in a 21-point fourth quarter from James, topping Cleveland himself, for his highest-scoring fourth quarter since 2017. He became the oldest Lakers player with 40 points since Kobe Bryant’s 60-point performance in his last game.

After the match, James playfully joked, “It’s a good thing for him that I only come here once.”

---

Date: November 21, 2018

Statistics: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 55% shooting

Results: 109-105 Lakers win

Unlike his first trip back to Cleveland, James was given a hero’s welcome after leaving the franchise for the second time.

The Cavaliers showed a video tribute during a timeout in the first quarter, which led to a standing and thunderous ovation. James acknowledged the crowd, pointed to all four corners of the building and then played a key role in the Lakers’ victory.

James scored or assisted on 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to erase an eight-point deficit. After the match, he acknowledged the differences in his returns.

“From the moment we landed yesterday, it just felt different,” he said. “I am a different person. We are all different from eight years ago, both good and bad. But more importantly, this experience has been amazing.”

---

Date: March 19, 2014

Statistics: 43 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 73.7% shooting

Results: 100-96 Miami Heat win

While James’ last outing in Cleveland as a member of the Heat wasn’t as raw as his first, he still left his mark on the court.

James jumped out of the gate early with 25 points in the first quarter on 10-of-11 shooting. It set the tone for an extra-efficient 40-point night on 73.7% shooting, his sixth-highest field goal percentage that season.

He had six points in the final two minutes of the game to earn a narrow victory in Miami. Four months later he was back with the Cavaliers.

---

Date: December 2, 2010

Statistics: 38 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 60% shooting

Results: 118-90 Miami Heat win

James’ first return to Cleveland was nothing short of a spectacle. Fans were continuously booed, signs were spread through the crowd and objects were thrown. It didn’t matter to LeBron.

He scored 24 of his 38 points in the third quarter, propelling the Heat to a win in a tough environment. He also had a game-high plus-minus of plus-26, the third highest of his entire season.

James said the crowd’s boos were probably the loudest he’s ever heard.

“I felt the hostility. I felt the criticism. But once the ball was tipped, I’m in my safe haven,” he said. “Nothing can stop me from being the best I can be.”

ESPN Research contributed to this story.