LeBron scores 45 points vs. Celtics in Game 6 of 2012 Eastern Conference finals | ESPN Archives

On June 7, 2012, LeBron James' 45-point effort helps the Miami Heat stave off elimination in the team's 98-79 victory vs. the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals.
✔ Subscribe to ESPN on KZbin: es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoKZbin
✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC
✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN
✔ Watch ESPN on KZbin TV: es.pn/KZbinTV
Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols urlzs.com/jNURe
Stephen A. Smith on ESPN urlzs.com/W19Tz
ESPN on Social Media:
► Follow on Twitter: / espn
► Like on Facebook: / espn
► Follow on Instagram: fespn
Visit ESPN on KZbin to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, College Football, NCAA Basketball, soccer and more.
More on ESPN.com: www.espn.com

[@corpyhogan4433]

I miss villain Lebron 💯 he was an absolute beast in this game

[@Ali-vk6jm]

Mind of the North Star Does it matter? He’s still an all time great. Yes the record isn’t the best but he is on the mount rushmore of basketball.

[@babyj9371]

@Mind of the North Star Nah you're the one with an obsession lmao

[@babyj9371]

@Mind of the North Star This guy says he likes Bron and you're out here blasting him on all your replies. You have a problem you've gotta sort out but if you think you're alright bud then do you ig

[@kritav1111]

@Mind of the North Star I like Jordan man but he's not top 50 all time for sure. He's my favourite player so I'm being unbiased.

[@bm7074]

Ur profile picture 😭😭😭😭

[@kingkilla564]

Doc: They're gonna see our best tonight, I can feel it LeBron: Hold my headband

[@Nobrakes504]

You win that shit was hilarious

[@ericksantos4555]

Like they said, LeBron James seen their best. Unfortunately, their best couldn't see him.

[@coachobispersonalworkoutti2223]

Hahhehehhehehehehhegrggrgr

[@jaz_gawd2472]

That death stare gave me chills at 14 and still does at 21

[@marlonsmith924]

All about that stare

[@secondaccount5217]

With the fate of the universe on the line LeBron delivered 😂😂

[@SL-pg4dh]

Second Account Gun to head. Okay Max Kellerman. I see you

[@LeBeautiful]

remember this game like it was yesterday. the scariest version of bron we EVER got. he let the world know that miami Bron was NO JOKE.

[@Kizz217]

LeBeautiful Nigga you be all over the videos😂😂

[@Ali-vk6jm]

LeBeautiful This is the game that everyone, even lebron haters agree, saw the killer instinct that lebron could have had. Unfortunately he hasn’t really dominated the way he did in this game.

[@Ali-vk6jm]

If D wade hadn’t of had 17 and had 9 points then Bron would have had Half the points for the whole team. He still accounted for 45.91836734693878% of the Miamis score

[@soonbarn2392]

Game 6 Jimmy Buckets brought me here!

[@mrbuckets8651]

This was the most important game of his career

[@KingCraze22]

I’d argue game 7 of 2016 finals

[@jjbulmor6827]

@@KingCraze22 while game 7 2016 was very important, game 6 2012 ECF was more important imo. Remember in 2011, the mavs beat the heat and he was getting clowned consistently cause he kinda "choked". 2012 was his redemption season and his chance to get his first ring. If Lebron lost against the celtics in game 6, then he would be sent home again, clowned even more, and Pat riley would've broken up the Big 3. Then he would've not won in 2013 against the spurs(most likely). Lebron's legacy was at a greater risk in that game 6

[@AbelAraya]

@@jjbulmor6827 I'd have to agree. Losing to a 73 win team in the road in a Game 7 with the margins that slim would not have made a damping on his career as much as he would've lost to an aging Boston Celtics team. I remember watching this game (even as a current Celtics fan) seeing that evil look on Lebron's face, and going "OH THIS MAN IS DEAD SET ON A MISSION". We will never see another game like this game from him, and I'm not talking about his stat sheet; I'm talking about his looks, the thousand yard stare he had throughout the game.

[@TeamDaemon1980]

Best performance I ever saw from LeBron James. Better than anything Kobe Bryant ever did in the postseason. Down 3-2 and LeBron set himself to God Mode.

[@SiahPopz]

That game against the Pistons when he played with the Cavs can’t be overlooked

[@statusofmyown9829]

Greatest game of Lebron career Imo 2001WCF against Prime Tim Duncan Coach Pop Spurs 22 yr old Kobe Game 1 45 pts averaging 33 7 & 7 for the Series leading LA in Scoring & To the NBA Finals 22yr old Kobe

[@kckc7140]

That's why Kobe has 5 rings and LeBron has 3 dumbass

[@MrGenexxx]

@@statusofmyown9829 carried shaq fat lazy ass to those easy finals mvp's as Afro Kobe always did

[@lebrowdynasty9291]

@@kckc7140 and why lebron has 4 season MVP while kobe only 1 season MVP dumbass

[@moiseshernandez4412]

“We broke him” KG said

[@superkmoe1]

Moises Hernandez when Lebron was the lone superstar😂.As soon as he got help they couldn’t beat him.

[@pkboolean]

@Eredin, King of the Wild Hunt kgs brain broke trying to stop lebron

[@jphudgins]

@@klkkkk1346 he's not hating

[@DerrickTheTrainer]

Tim Duncan, Dirk, and Shaq broke KG. Had that man crying in a interview because he couldn’t get to the finals with the T’Wolves.

[@rh7074]

@@DerrickTheTrainer this is true!

[@joesakic91]

Jimmy Butler having 47 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals in Game 6 of the 2022 ECF with the Heat facing elimination brought me here.

[@marcostrevino3970]

Same lol

[@YesNo-yl6ws]

Same

[@SiahPopz]

Don’t forget the game agains the Pistons when he played with the cavs.. that was an epic performance too!!

[@macp2657]

it was! mabye better than this one. but this was IT. lebrons legacy on the line

[@Zero-wy2gx]

@@macp2657 I think this performance is much better than the Pistons one.

[@ui6144]

Jimmy Butler may have surpassed this just moments ago in a Heat uniform against the Celtics in game 6 on the road.

[@mrobitwice77]

No

[@abdillahbaininwa9544]

Not even close. Lebron had 41 in 3 quarters he could easily score 50+ and 18 rebounds had he played the whole game

[@jaredslabaugh3181]

LBJ had 45 and only played 35 minutes

[@1juicecrazy]

ESPN just couldn’t help themselves 😂

[@pip388]

This was a legendary performance tho I can't lie.

[@ihatezen]

Stop bitching

[@obillyify]

JuiceGlobal and u right here watching it so u couldn’t help it either lmfaooo. Stoooopid

[@s.l5787]

For real. This bum couldn't even make the playoffs but of course, LeSPN needs to protect the king's image

[@1juicecrazy]

dizzle fo yeah cause he my fav player dummy🤣🤣 sensitive ass

[@yungsosaTV]

None of the players today have these type of moments.

[@jordanhamons1662]

KD,Kawhi,Curry and if you want to James harden but I wouldn’t also Damian lillard

[@johnthejuicy4991]

DAME D.O.L.L.A !!! 🐐

[@monojuice]

Jordan Hamons Nah, only person I’d say had those type of games where KD in the 2017 finals

[@Kuzamer]

Not exactly comparable, but Jamal Murray kinda did.

[@yungsosaTV]

BakuGOAT true him and spida was going crazy. And chris Paul carrying okc is pretty good too

[@MarkClaytonII]

This is everyone's favorite lebron.. This dude was fr sick and tired of losing to the Celtics. Everyone for sure misses this lebron.

[@Kizz217]

mark clayton You got that right this LeBron was op asf

[@dirkgross2189]

Gotta love 2016 NBA finals Lebron tho too

[@DJ-ys9pv]

@@dirkgross2189 2018 too, I think we might get a glimpse in 2022

[@Mysterioatokatokat]

paul the lied pierce bricking those shot and choked😂

[@Maxjuliann]

Greatest game of lebrons career . Because of the magnitude , being down 3-2 against the Boston team he couldn’t beat with the Cavs . You Could feel the pressure just watching this game live . Bron came out swinging from the jump . Monster game..

[@topiptvreviewsallservices5413]

Definitely his best game

[@0nekhmerXViet]

I remember watching this live. His greatest game since game 5 of the pistons vs cavs series

[@jj10176]

Im taking this lbj over every player in the league currently

[@Red2Nicee]

Who wouldn't he could do it all

[@UFACIL]

In the league? I'm taking this bron over any player in history period.

[@MrIncredibleGuy]

Glad I witnessed that performance live on TV, best game for LeBron ever hands down.

[@johnu8539]

Kwame Brown " Me and Kobe combined for 84 points vs Toronto" Kobe 81 pts, Kwame 3 pts

[@seanhk9359]

J W man’s not wrong 😆

[@anthonycarlucci7464]

I miss Kobe 😓

[@TheFlowBrothers]

Lucci Tunechi now we really miss him

[@GamerModeTwentyThree]

This was lebron saying I’m on a mission and ain’t nobody stopping me he has left a mark and is no doubt he won us a championship in Cleveland and also the greatest basketball player in the world

[@gsxrboi1000]

I'mma miss this dude when he retires 😑

[@EddieG.]

Skip be like the celtics held lebron to 4 points in the 4th!

[@Haaaveeyy]

Best game of his career to me still!

[@eramsey1982eram]

Paul Pierce "but my Career was better tho"

[@DwadeFL4SHMV3]

The greatest a human could play basketball. Most pressure ever, most iconic performance. Made it look ridiculously easy, I’ve never seen Boston sound more like a library my entire life.

[@NateT092]

This the lebron skip wish he could be all the time. LoL

[@IncognitoSprax]

A lot of us do

[@sidneyhan9477]

Skip doesn’t want to see that

[@DJ-ys9pv]

Lmao Bron has a few games where he underperforms (for him 20-5-5 night with a few TOs) but for the most part Bron is a beast. MJ averaged 37pts at one point but he wasn’t dropping 37 every night. Skip puts on this facade that he wants Bron to play at his peak every night bc MJ did so he can minimize LeBron at every turn. But we all know that no human has ever done that. Not even Wilt.

[@markdorsey5150]

So blessed to have watched this live, you had to be there for ll the chatter the day leading up, it was something else. Special moment.

[@Jabril215_]

I remember watching this game live I’m 28years old today this was ten years ago I was 18 until this day this was the best Lebron James performance I’ve ever seen live basketball it was like he couldn’t do nothing wrong it was the magnitude the scrutiny he was gone face alone if he lost this game the pressure for Lebron James fan that was in the Air was unbearable but some how someway The King came out and gave us a performance of a life time at that point the Celtics knew they where dead in the water because he was not gone let the heat lose I seen someone say with the fate of the universe on the line Lebron James came through with a performance and surly he did I truly appreciate his greatness Lebron TheKing James 23/6 !

[@KobeKid248]

Remember this game like it was yesterday good times!!

[@Bari10059]

Imagine if Lebron played like this his whole career

[@alfonsojacob1768]

This game (or shall I say series?) showed how good Pierce defending James. Good of letting him score. Lol

[@_2_first_names]

When Lebron hitting the jumper consistently.. NOBODY can stop him!!

[@adityavarshney6690]

Doc brilliant, we gotta make some baskets -- fast forward to the clippers in 2020

[@Kizz217]

We miss this Lebron made basketball so exciting to watch!

[@MARQ101HVC]

Still exciting to watch, just a little older now.

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

The defense of Miami Heat refused to let the celtics in the game,and it got shaken up even further

[@michaelnattoo2633]

BEAST. An absolute BEAST in this game and for the rest of the playoffs. #TheZone

[@ShaunbirKlair24]

Brick Simmons would’ve scored 4 lmao

[@abon587]

Skip Bayless said LeBron’s performance this game was overrated. That’s not a joke. He honestly said that.

[@bloop2184]

i can not believe i watched this game live 😭, ppl really gotta remember how much pressure was on the heat going into this game, it was an all time classic

[@seanhk9359]

This explains Paul Pierce’s attitude towards LBJ

[@anthonycarlucci7464]

I never heard him say one negative thing about him on espn lol

[@seanhk9359]

Lucci Tunechi Wait really? I promise you he’s taken several digs at his “legacy” lol

[@GoBucks21]

This game is the most important performance in LeBrons career. Everything that happens in his career after this night plays out completely differently if he doesn’t perform like this.

[@imnotshrek870]

I was really expecting that butler would perform like lbj did in this video

[@ahmedsallam1179]

Amazing to watch

[@LD70701]

Best playoffs performance of all time.

[@elijahpfeifer6811]

Need this Lebron tonight

[@loveisintheair8941]

The most iconic game in his career

[@DNAprophet]

The greatest game of his career.

[@hinognasaging]

loved how lebron slowed down in the 4th and wade be like bron already did his thing I'll do my thing now

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

Did any catch the LeBron Bassmaster episode 2 weeks ago?

[@wayneparks9399]

This game right here is probably his greatest ever

[@chrisdavisjr8991]

Doc @ the end 💪🏿

[@bleuhef6660]

PAUL PIERCE STILL HATING TILL THIS DAY , CAREER WAS DEAD AT THIS MOMENT , WELL THE YEAR BEFORE IT WAS DEAD , LeGOAT JUST BURIED HIM DEEPER 🐐

[@brandobbsfob6625]

Bruh it took prime wade, Bron and Bosh 7 games to beat an already old KG, Allen and pierce.

[@brandobbsfob6625]

Steven Lankford your math is off they were in their mid 30’s not early😂😂

[@BigWilt2000]

This Bron was on 🔥

[@topiptvreviewsallservices5413]

Nobody could fck with LeBron 2012 & 2013 unstoppable

[@Nobrakes504]

Need more of this lebron

[@blackbull690]

This the best Lebron game I ever watched.. & it ain’t even close.

[@coachobispersonalworkoutti2223]

Doc Rivers is a Class Act Always giving credit where it is due. That is not a weakness but means u acknowledge Greatness

[@rogelio3133]

Lol they’re gonna bring this up at the beginning of the game broadcast earlier with Pierce there

[@johnnyt1866]

Most important game of his career. His legacy was on the line, and he responded with his greatest performance ever.

[@johnnyt1866]

Idc what anyone says. The stakes were never as high as they were in this game, and he dominated. Shut up all the Haters. Until this point in his career, he was LeChoke. not clutch. This game changed the narrative.

[@christianroylammawin9136]

In his IG live recently, a fan ask him this game and he said that he need to step up and perform at that level because Pat Riley is ready to blow up the team if they lose and his legacy is on the line..

[@bubbz_yt4647]

Then 10 years later Jimmy Butler does the same thing

[@gkount_]

From the look on his face after each shot, there was nothing that was gonna make him lose that game

[@NICKandJAMEScomedy]

Greatest

[@josephvanhorn5347]

The very greatest game ever for maybe the very greatest player ever. Still trying to get his first ring LeBron was down 3 games to 2, on the road, and on a 3 game losing streak. It’s basically impossible to put any more pressure on one player. So how did he handle that pressure? He literally played the best game of his life and eventually lead Miami to a championship. So whatever BS Skip blabs about James not having a “killer instinct”, or no “clutch gene”, or not being a “closer”, is just stupid. It’s stupid and factually wrong.

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

Espn knew exactly what they were doing 😂

[@WhatIsaysGoes]

LeBron showed out this game

[@officialmightynotoriousaka3897]

The Miami Heat staved off elimination in game six, which the Celtics never been recovered two nights later

[@Moosedeuce]

Those that remember the stakes will agree that LeBron’s legacy was literally on the line this game. The year before they lost to the Mavs in the finals and now found themselves facing elimination in the ECF. Had they lost, LeBron’s move to the Heat would have a completely different outlook. But this is the night he really showed that killer instinct people claimed he didn’t have. This is one of my fav performances by LeBron!

[@basicminnesotan8211]

We need that next year..... go LA

[@ShaunbirKlair24]

As a Celtics fan this still stings me

[@SwipeDogg]

Did it sting you as much as this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/an_LnYt9gqmBp5Y

[@reliablethreat23]

I'm a life-long Miami Heat fan, but I honestly believe that Celtics team would have won the Finals if they would have just been able to sneak past Miami. Their playoff/championship experience would have been too much for that young Thunder team!

[@jamesescondo708]

Ruben, yeah. Too bad LeBron was on a mission at that time

[@TheLuscious]

Evil LeBron the best version

[@LAKERS4LIFEE69]

de ja VU 2 night in 2022. (3-3 MIA)

[@titvngaming7693]

neilWAS SO good i forgot bout that guy

[@johndough5381]

LeBron knew this was it.. The crossroads for his career for sure.. Tip your hat to him. A born elite

[@nemesws]

3:23

[@kievsjennings3395]

The king

[@Flashkid-xw2iv]

It's the 7 year anniversary. That's why they posted it

[@silencedowell1722]

The Lebron of old, just wow!!!

[@stevenburrell9705]

GOAT MAN GOAT MAN YEA THAT'S HIM!!!!!

[@OG_predatorproductionz]

ESPN bout to start uploading st. Vincent st. Mary videos inna min..smh

[@rajwilliams9104]

Damn LeBron was jus collecting souls what a game

[@JoshuaD.Howard]

My boy LeBusciut at his best 🔥🔥💯💯🐐🐐

[@dannyboy34677]

Let's remember the year before, while the Heat had eliminated the Celtics in 5 in Miami, this Game 6 was different. You have to remember, Boston ended Lebron's season in that building twice before (2008 in Game 7 and 2010 in the ECSF in Game 6). The Celtics were looking to end Lebron's season in Boston for the third time in that five-year span. Yes, Lebron went to the ECF in 2009, but lost to the Orlando Magic in 6 games. This version of Lebron James was determined to flip the script. He knew his legacy was on the line in this game. Had he lost, it would have been three times in five years that Boston would have ended Lebron James' season in Boston. That building was his house of horrors going on and in that one game, exorcised his personal Boston Garden demons once and for all with a performance for the ages in that Game 6 of the ECF and unlike his first stint in Cleveland, in Miami, he had a legit supporting cast.

[@dougpullins1215]

Wade holds the world record for "falls after layups."

[@lebrowdynasty9291]

His LeGACY is in Danger and he responds the Best Game of his Career

[@senorcapalot6098]

So we gon ignore that Dwayne Wade had more boards than Bosh

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

But no matter what the Celtics tried, there was no stopping the King?

[@AROD-oh5ez]

you know its bad when rondo is the leading scorer of your team

[@dylanpatton8375]

Goat

[@richardx4456]

Rap and GSW finals, and put Lebron on? WTF ESPN?

[@omghesfunny1812]

litt them boyz up #GOAT

[@danoneall4013]

What's up with the shove @2:11. Uncalled for

[@thesun5924]

One noticeable thing is that even in his best games, he still made like... only half of the free throws... So to be fair, he's never been a choker from the free throw line, it's just never been his strength from the first place. I'm a Laker fan and I root for Lebron and I was pissed when he missed those free throws late in the games that the Lakers should've won this past season. People can make arguments that he's not the GOAT because of the free throws or whatever but to say he chokes is exaggerating.

[@Tito-bv6om]

This dude went jordan mode that night

[@flyupthere]

Lebron still be doing that until this weekend

[@officialmightynotoriousaka5463]

In GM 6, Boston Celtics wasn't in it and they never been recovered few days later in GM 7

[@walkoff2]

This is the game he became a killer.

[@riqosteel]

EVEN A LEBRON HATER CANT HATE ON THIS PERFORMANCE

[@10ToesDownWithBass]

Skip Bayless like “Those were the quietest 45 points I have seen in the playoffs”

[@marlonsmith924]

This was brons mj game. Look at the celtics faces