LeBron James burst on the national scene as a member of the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish in Akron, Ohio. Throughout his NBA career, he has continued to represent for the Irish by balling out on St. Patrick’s Day. During seven appearances on Ireland’s holy day of obligation heading into Sunday’s matchup with the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers forward has averaged 30.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists on March 17. Below we look back on each of those St. Patrick’s Day performances.
No. 7: March 17, 2013 – 22 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists
As a member of the Miami Heat, LeBron James registered his lowest-scoring St. Patrick’s Day output in 2013 against the Toronto Raptors. Along with finishing 6-of-12 from the field for 22 points, James collected a team-high 12 rebounds and dished out a game-high eight assists. The Heat went on to earn a 108-91 win over DeMar DeRozan and company before eventually securing their second-straight championship that summer.
No. 6: March 17, 2006 – 27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists
After turning 21 years old during his third NBA season, LeBron led a starting five for the Cleveland Cavaliers consisting of Ronald “Flip” Murray, Eric Snow, Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to a 15-point win over Zach Randolph and the Portland Trail Blazers. James finished with 27 points in 44 minutes of work to go along with nine rebounds and five assists.
No. 5: March 17, 2008 – 30 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists
LeBron would suffer his only St. Patrick’s Day loss in 2008 at the hands of Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Despite 30 and nine from the King on 50 percent shooting, the Magic would get the 104-90 win on the strength of 23 and 13 from a young Howard. Delonte West was the next highest-scoring Cavalier that day with 16 points in support of James.
No. 4: March 17, 2010 – 32 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists
LeBron and backcourt mate Mo Williams helped Cleveland to a 99-94 win over Roy Hibbert and the Indiana Pacers on March 17, 2010. James nearly notched a triple-double that night by finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. The following summer, he would leave Cleveland for the shores of South Beach.
No. 3: March 17, 2007 – 24 points, 17 rebounds and 9 assists
A 22-year-old LBJ channeled his inner-Dennis Rodman in 2007 by collecting 17 rebounds during an 82-73 win over the Utah Jazz on St. Patrick’s Day. Coupled with his efforts on the glass, James would also dish out nine assists and net 24 points while earning the win over the Deron Williams-led Utah squad. James would make his first NBA Finals appearance with the Cavaliers later that season.
No. 2: March 17, 2018 – 33 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists
One of the 18 triple-doubles that James earned as member of the Cleveland Cavaliers last season came on St. Patrick’s Day. During a 114-109 win over the Chicago Bulls, LeBron shot 15-of-26 from the field for 33 points while grabbing 13 rebounds and distributing 12 assists. He would go on to make the NBA Finals for the eighth-straight time before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason.
No. 1: March 17, 2009 – 43 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists
LeBron’s highest scoring output on St. Patrick’s Day came in 2009 when dropped 43 points during a 97-93 win over the Orlando Magic. He shot 55 percent from the field along the way while collecting 12 rebounds and dishing out eight assists. Meanwhile, Rafer Alston led the Magic with 23 points in a losing effort.
