When Did It Happen: Game 6, 2012 Eastern Conference finals
LeBron James' Stats: 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, 73.1 FG percentage
It might seem hasty to put LeBron James' 45-point performance at the top of this list, but when you consider that it was the 2012 Eastern Conference finals and the fate of the Heat's season and his own legacy were all on the line, you can understand why it's at the No. 1 spot.
With his critics out in full force, LeBron put together one of the most complete performances in NBA playoff history, including shooting a ridiculous 73.1 percent from the field. He became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964 to account for at least 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a playoff game.
With his epic Game 6 performance, LeBron became the only player in NBA history to score at least 45 points two times while facing elimination on the road—his other performance is No. 3 on this list.
To say that LeBron rose to the occasion would be a vast understatement. If he had dropped a dud and the Heat had lost Game 6, his legacy could've been done for, and that's why his performance was so special.
LeBron silenced his critics and single-handedly led the Heat off the edge of elimination with the greatest individual performance in NBA playoff history.
