LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for an exciting matchup against the New York Knicks this Saturday at the iconic Madison Square Garden. James, a seasoned veteran, has a notable history at this legendary arena, with a record of 22-9 in 31 games played there. His performance at the Garden has been consistently impressive, with averages of 28.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.9 rebounds, which mirror his overall career statistics of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
Although James has only faced the Knicks once in a playoff series, back in 2012 during the Eastern Conference First Round, his impact was undeniable. With the Miami Heat, he helped secure a 4-1 victory, averaging 27.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists throughout the series. Notably, he scored less than 20 points only once during those games.
Over the years, James has treated Madison Square Garden to some unforgettable performances. Let's take a closer look at a few of his most notable games at the historic venue.
In a game result that saw the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Knicks 119-105, James showcased his dominance at the Garden. Building upon his previous 45-point game against the Knicks at home, he outdid himself in March. With an impressive stat line of at least 50 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, James became the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 to achieve this feat. The crowd erupted with chants of 'MVP!', and James called the standing ovation 'a dream come true.'
Another memorable game saw the Cavaliers emerging victorious with a score of 104-101. While James' numbers weren't his best at the Garden, it was the on-court altercation that caught everyone's attention. Tensions rose between James and the Knicks' Enes Freedom in the first quarter. James refused to move out of the way as then-Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina attempted to inbound the ball, leading to a confrontation and double technical fouls. Freedom, unimpressed, proclaimed, 'I don't care... what you call yourself. King, Queen, Princess, whatever you are. You know what, we're going to fight, and nobody out there is going to punk us.' However, James had the last laugh as he led a fourth-quarter comeback, securing the win for the Cavaliers.
In his first game at Madison Square Garden as a member of the Miami Heat, James showcased his prowess with a highly efficient triple-double. Despite being booed by fans due to his decision not to join the Knicks in the offseason, James remained unfazed on the court, shooting an impressive 60.9% from the field. This performance stands as his third-highest field goal percentage at the Garden.
Arguably one of James' most iconic games at Madison Square Garden came in a matchup where the Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 107-102. James put on a show, accounting for nearly half of the Cavaliers' points with a season-high 52 points. This memorable outing happened just two nights after Kobe Bryant set a then-MSG record with 61 points. James joined Michael Jordan as one of only two players to have multiple 50-point games as a visitor at the Garden.
Fast forward to 2020, when James, now with the Lakers, faced the Knicks once again and led his team to a hard-fought 129-123 overtime victory. Making his first appearance at Madison Square Garden that year, James demonstrated that age would not hinder his abilities. He recorded a triple-double, showcasing his all-around skills and proving to the New York crowd that he still possesses the talent and determination to succeed.
As the Lakers prepare for their upcoming battle against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, we can undoubtedly expect another memorable display from LeBron James. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered extraordinary performances at this iconic venue, leaving fans in awe and solidifying his status as one of basketball's greatest players. Saturday's game promises to provide us with more unforgettable moments as James takes on the challenge of conquering the world's most famous arena once again.
