LeBron James career highs: Running through the best games of Lakers star's career

Over the course of his 21 completed NBA seasons, LeBron James has set the statistical standard for the players around him. His career averages showcase how he's flirted with a triple-double on a nightly basis, and that only scratches the surface of his full impact.

Now the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with top-five placement in assists and a top-10 ranking in steals, James is the gold standard for statistical brilliance.

For as consistently brilliant as he's been, the high points of his career from a statistical perspective are often easily overlooked. It's what happens with metronome performers, whose production is provided with a reliable pace and limited ebbs and flows.

When James decides it's time to turn things up a notch, however, his statistics rival the career highs of the all-time greats he's surrounded himself with—starting with an explosive scoring performance in 2014.

Points: 61 vs. Charlotte Bobcats, March 3, 2014

There's a case to be made that James has never played better than he did with the Miami Heat. In addition to winning back-to-back championships in 2011-12 and 2012-13, James played the best defense of his career and, up until 2023-24, shot better than ever before or since.

On March 3, 2014, that all came to a head when a masked James scored a career-high 61 points in a 124-107 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

With Dwyane Wade sidelined by an injury, James took over and never looked back. He shot 22-of-33 from the field, 8-of-10 from beyond the arc, and 9-of-12 at the free throw line in the most dominant scoring performance of his storied NBA career.

With seven rebounds and four assists added for good measure, James was at his all-time best from a scoring perspective against the Bobcats.

Rebounds: 20 vs. Golden State Warriors, January 27, 2024

Who doesn't set career highs in their 21st season in the NBA? Believe it or not, this isn't the last time we'll talk about James being otherworldly at 39 years of age, with 20 completed seasons of wear and tear in his rear view.

On January 27, 2024, James pulled down a career-high 20 rebounds against his rival Golden State Warriors—because of course he did.

James was breathtaking, posting 36 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Lakers outlasted the Warriors 145-144 in double-overtime. It was yet another example of how longevity has become the epitome of what makes James an all-time great.

In terms of his career-high without overtime, James pulled down 18 rebounds in a 95-89 loss to the New York Knicks on April 14, 2005.

Assists: 19 (x2)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest passers in NBA history, James set and matched his career-high two years apart—deep into his career. It's yet another testament to his otherworldly longevity that has raised the bar for athletes across every sport.

The first was on February 9, 2018, when James tallied 22 points, 19 assists, and 12 rebounds in a 123-107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Roughly two years later, James did it again with the Lakers. He finished with 19 points, 19 assists, three rebounds, and a steal in a 119-118 loss to the Orlando Magic on January 15, 2020, during which he helped five other players score in double-figures.

There aren't many players better than James as far as facilitating is concerned, and the fact that he did this during his 15th and 17th NBA seasons is a testament to that.

Blocks: 5 (2)

The king of the chase-down block, James has made a career out of striking fear in players who would otherwise have an easy layup on the other end of the floor. It's one of the signature plays that has come to define his greatness in the NBA.

James' career-high in blocks, chase-down or otherwise, is five—which he managed on two different occasions, all within the same fear-inducing rookie season.

James first achieved his career-high in a 104-100 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on February 23, 2004. He did it again in a 111-87 domination of the Chicago Bulls on March 16, 2004—not even a month later.

If you've ever wondered why teams are so afraid of getting out in transition against a team with James on it, his rookie season provided the instant answer.

Steals: 7 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, December 13, 2004

One of the most terrifying experiences for an NBA player is committing a turnover that puts the ball in James' hands in transition. He's either going to get an easy two points on the other end of the floor or you're going to appear on his poster.

The Memphis Grizzlies found that out first-hand on December 13, 2004, when James came up with a career-high seven steals.

James, in just his second season in the NBA, put on a dazzling display. He posted 31 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and seven steals on 14-of-22 shooting from the field as the Cleveland Cavaliers walked away with a 92-86 victory.

When James was playing the passing lanes during his early seasons in the NBA, there wasn't much a team could do to work around him.

Three-Point Field Goals Made: 9 (x2)

The evolution of James as a jump-shooter has been a sight to behold during his Lakers career. He's gone from struggling to knock down 70 percent of his free throws or 35 percent of his threes to setting a career-best mark of 41.0 percent from distance in 2023-24.

It's no coincidence that the two most prolific three-point shooting performances of his career transpired in the purple and gold.

James knocked down a career-high nine three-point field goals in a 133-115 loss to the Clippers on January 24, 2023. Just over a year later, he did it again by shooting 9-of-10 from beyond the arc in a 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

With career-highs of 61 points, 20 rebounds, 19 assists, four blocks, seven steals, and nine three-point field goals made, the best of James is on par with the best of just about anyone.