LeBron James’s 38-point, 12-rebound, 6-assist, zero-turnover showing on Tuesday night in Cleveland’s pivotal 106–101 Game 5 win over Chicago—to put the Cavs up 3–2—was yet another virtuoso performance from the game’s best player on the sport’s highest stage.
The hometown superstar, who recently finished third in the MVP voting behind Stephen Curry, also made the defensive play of the game in coming out of nowhere to block Derrick Rose’s potential game-tying fast-break layup try with 48 seconds left.
What made it all the more impressive was that the four-time MVP was playing on a bum ankle, while knowing that the Cavs had to have this one to advance. With the possibility of Pau Gasol being ready for Chicago in Game 6, the time to pounce was Tuesday night and James made sure they did so—as he’s done before.
