When it comes to consistently reaching the NBA Finals, there is hardly anyone who can rival Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
In 22 seasons, LeBron James has reached the NBA Finals 10 times. He is currently tied for the third spot on most NBA Finals appearances ever with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Despite James being incredibly consistent throughout his career, many have held that against him because of his 4-6 record in the NBA Finals.
Regardless of his record, it’s hard to deny his greatness on the biggest stage in the league. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at James’ performance in every NBA Finals he has played in during his career.
2006-07 NBA Finals loss vs San Antonio SpursStats: 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 35.6 FG%Best game: Game 4 – 24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 33.3 FG%
A 22-year-old James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals. While it was an incredible milestone, it was obvious that James was nervous.
After all, the Cavs faced off against the experienced San Antonio Spurs team led by Tim Duncan. James struggled to score well and shot below 40% against the Spurs as the Cavs were handed a 4-0 sweep.
Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images2010-11 NBA Finals loss vs Dallas MavericksStats: 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 47.8 FG%Best game: Game 1 – 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 56.3 FG%
While James’ Cavs were the underdogs in 2007, the story was entirely different for the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. LBJ left the Cavaliers to form a super team with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
However, the 2011 NBA Finals was undoubtedly the worst postseason performance of James’ career. It included the infamous 8-point outing in Game 4. The Heat also blew a 2-1 lead to Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks, with the latter registering a 4-2 win.
2011-12 NBA Finals win vs Oklahoma City ThunderStats: 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 47.2 FG%Best game: Game 5 – 26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, 47.4 FG%
James finally won the first NBA Championship of his career in 2012. Despite still being hated by most of the league for his infamous move to the Heat, James had learned to deal with his critics.
The result? James won the NBA Finals MVP while truly embracing the best player role on the team. Led by LeBron, the Heat wrapped up the series in just five games.
2012-13 NBA Finals win vs San Antonio Spurs
Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesStats: 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 44.7 FG%Best game: Game 7 – 37 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 52.2 FG%, 50.0 3P%
The 2013 version of James was at the absolute peak of his dominance. While LBJ was off to a slow start in the finals, he made up for it with phenomenal performances in Games 6 and 7.
James finally got his revenge against the Spurs after six years. It’s unfortunate that the 4-3 series win is associated more with Ray Allen’s Game 6 dagger than the King’s performance.
2013-14 NBA Finals loss vs San Antonio SpursStats: 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 57.1 FG%, 51.9 3P%Best game: Game 2 – 35 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 63.6 FG%, 100.0 3P%
This was James’ fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance and it was clear that there was no better individual player than him. In the 2014 NBA Finals, the Heat once again faced the Spurs.
James had a terrific run, but the Spurs were head and shoulders above the Heat as they registered an easy 4-1 win.
2014-15 NBA Finals loss vs Golden State WarriorsStats: 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 39.8 FG%Best game: Game 5 – 40 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, 44.1 FG%
The 2015 NBA Finals was the beginning of a rivalry between James and Stephen Curry. It was also James’ first season back in Cleveland. James led the Cavs to the finals and the team even took a 2-1 lead over the Dubs.
However, injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love gave the upper hand to the Warriors. LeBron also admitted the Warriors’ strategy to shift Draymond Green to center caught them by surprise. It resulted in a 4-2 defeat for the Cavaliers.
2015-16 NBA Finals win vs Golden State Warriors
Photo credit should read BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP via Getty ImagesStats: 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 49.4 FG%Best game: Game 6 – 41 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 59.3 FG%, 50.0 3P%
Facing the 73-9 Warriors and going down 3-1, most believed the series was over. But James and the Cavs did not give up as they became the first team in NBA Finals history to erase a 3-1 deficit.
This was undoubtedly the best finals performance fans have ever seen from James. Of course, James’ iconic Game 7 block remains etched into memories forever.
2016-17 NBA Finals loss vs Golden State WarriorsStats: 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 56.4 FG%Best game: Game 5 – 41 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 63.3 FG%
The 2017 NBA Finals were the third straight matchup between the Cavaliers and the Warriors. However, after losing a 3-1 lead in 2016, the Dubs added Kevin Durant to the roster.
As a result, even with James averaging a triple-double for the series, the Cavs were handed a 4-1 series defeat by the Warriors.
2017-18 NBA Finals loss vs Golden State WarriorsStats: 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 52.7 FG%Best game: Game 1 – 51 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 59.4 FG%, 42.9 3P%
The 2018 NBA Finals marked James’ eighth consecutive appearance and his fourth straight vs the Warriors. Unfortunately, the story remained the same for the Cavs as the Warriors dynasty was simply too lopsided.
Despite LeBron scoring 51 points in a game, he suffered the second 4-0 sweep of his career as his finals record plummeted to 3-6.
2019-20 NBA Finals win vs Miami Heat
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesStats: 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 59.1 FG%, 41.7 3P%Best game: Game 5 – 40 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 71.4 FG%, 66.7 3P%
After losing the 2018 NBA Finals, James left the Cavs for the second time in his career as he signed with the iconic Los Angeles Lakers.
Once again, many doubted if James had it in him to end the Lakers’ title drought. Well, James proved his doubters wrong and led the team to the 2020 NBA Championship, also winning the fourth NBA Finals MVP award of his career.
SummaryYearOpponent (Result)PointsReboundsAssistsFG%Best Game2006-07Spurs (L)22.07.06.835.6G4: 24p/6r/10a/33.3 FG%2010-11Mavericks (L)17.87.26.847.8G1: 24p/9r/5a/56.3 FG%2011-12Thunder (W)28.610.27.447.2G5: 26p/11r/13a/47.4 FG%2012-13Spurs (W)25.310.97.044.7G7: 37p/12r/4a/52.2 FG%/50.0 3P%2013-14Spurs (L)28.27.84.057.1G2: 35p/10r/3a/63.6 FG%/100.0 3P%2014-15Warriors (L)35.813.38.839.8G5: 40p/14r/11a/44.1 FG%2015-16Warriors (W)29.711.38.949.4G6: 41p/8r/11a/59.3 FG%/50.0 3P%2016-17Warriors (L)33.612.010.056.4G5: 41p/13r/8a/63.3 FG%2017-18Warriors (L)34.08.510.052.7G1: 51p/8r/8a/59.4 FG%/42.9 3P%2019-20Heat (W)29.811.88.559.1G5: 40p/13r/7a/71.4 FG%/66.7 3P%