LeBron James scored 61 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday.
That is his career high. And all that needs to be said to preface some highlights of the night:
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James' final stat line reads as follows: 61 points, 22-for-33 shooting, 8-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc, 9-for-12 shooting from the foul line, seven rebounds and five assists. He had 49 points at the end of the third quarter and just went for the points in the final quarter against a pretty decent Bobcats defense — seventh best in the league by defensive rating. Field goal percentages and 3-point field goal percentages and defensive ratings changed dramatically because of this game.
It was the NBA's second 60-point game this year after Carmelo Anthony dropped 62 on the Bobcats earlier this year (sorry Charlotte). And the second 60-point game since 2009. It was James' first 60-point game and his new career high.
Efficiency-wise, James' 66.7 percent were the best for a 60-point shooting performance since Shaquille O'Neal made 24 of 35 in a 61-point performance against the Clippers on O'Neal's 28th birthday. The other two to shoot that well were also post players — Tom Chambers and Karl Malone.
James also became the sixth player to score 60 points on 33 field goal attempts or less. Kobe Bryant was the last to accomplish that feat when he got to 61 points on 31 field goal attempts in February 2009.
That is a lot of history.
All hail the King.
