LeBron James’ most notable Madison Square Garden appearances،
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks on Saturday (8:30 p.m. EST on ABC).
James played 31 matches in the world's most famous arena, amassing a 22-9 record. His averages at Madison Square Garden – 28.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.9 rebounds – are not far from his overall career averages – 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists.
He has only faced the Knicks once in a playoff series, the 2012 Eastern Conference First Round, which the Miami Heat won 4-1. He averaged 27.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists, and only scored fewer than 20 points once in this series.
James has had his share of memorable matches at Madison Square Garden over the years. Here's a look at some of the most notable ones.
2008: 50 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 53% shooting
Result of the game: 119-105, victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers
After losing 45 points at home to the Knicks in November, James did better at the Garden in March.
He became the first player with at least 50 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in a game since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on January 19, 1975, according to the Associated Press. James left the game chanting “MVP!” ” and called the standing ovation a “dream come true.”
2017: 23 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 50% shooting
Result of the game: 104-101, victory for the Cavs
While the numbers weren't among James' best at the Garden, it was the on-court antics that became the story. James and Enes Freedom clashed in the first quarter.
James dunk the ball, then wouldn't get out of the way of then-Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina as he tried to tuck the ball in. Freedom took offense, defending Ntilkina as James pushed Freedom, leading to a double technical.
Freedom said after the match: “I don't care…what your name is. King, queen, princess, whatever you are. You know what, we're going to fight and nobody out.” [is] Go punk us. “
James led a fourth-quarter comeback to win the game and had a response on Instagram.
2010: 32 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 interception, 60.9% shooting
Result of the game: 113-91, victory for the Heat
In his first game in New York as a member of the Heat, James recorded a highly efficient triple-double. Fans booed him since he didn't join the Knicks in the offseason, but that wasn't enough to hinder his play on the court.
The 60.9% shooting from the field marks his third-highest FG percentage all-time at Madison Square Garden (70% once, 70.6% twice).
2009: 52 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 51.5% shooting
Result of the game: 107-102, the Cavaliers win
In arguably the most iconic game James played at Madison Square Garden, he put on a show. James accounted for almost half of the Cavaliers' points. His 52 points then represented his season high.
This performance came two nights after Kobe Bryant set an MSG record with 61 points. James became one of two players – Michael Jordan was the other – to have multiple 50-point games as a visitor to what is now Madison Square Garden.
2023: 28 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 1 interception, 44% shooting
Result of the game: 129-123, Lakers victory
Year 20 or not, James never misses an opportunity to impress the New York public.
It was his first game there since January 2020, and James was worth the wait. He recorded his first triple-double of the season as the Lakers earned an overtime victory.
There was buzz before the match, with James just weeks away from breaking the all-time goalscoring record. However, after the match, James instead focused on his overall skills.
“I just play the game the right way. I approach the game every night just trying to be a triple threat by scoring, rebounding, assisting, defending, and let the chips fall where they may.” , did he declare.
