LeBron James sets Finals record for most points through three games

LeBron James scored 40 points in a 96–91 win in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors. James set the NBA record for most points through the first three games of an NBA Finals.

SI Wire | Jun 10, 2015

LeBron James sets Finals record for most points through three games /

For LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, it was as easy as 1–2–3.

James scored 40 points in the Cavaliers' Game 3 NBA Finals 96–91 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, bringing his three-game total to 123 points, the most ever scored by a player through the first three games of the Finals.

James shot 14 for 34, including 2-of-6 from three-point range, and led the Cavaliers to a 2-1 lead in the finals despite the absence of star guard Kyrie Irving.

James's 40-point effort followed 44-point and 39-point efforts in Games 1 and 2.

Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where Cleveland will try to take a 3-1 lead on its home floor, takes place Thursday at 9 pm ET.

Some of James' highlights are below.

• MORE NBA: LeBron-Dellavedova unlikely duo | Curry's Game 3 struggles

• MORE NBA: Game 3 preview | Highlights | Playoff coverage | Schedule

GALLERY: Sports Illustrated's best photos from Game 3 of NBA Finals

SI's Best Photos From Game 3 of the NBA Finals

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

SI's Best Photos from Game 3: Matthew Dellavedova rose to the occasion again for the Cavaliers in Game 3, scoring 20 points and making several hustle plays to help Cleveland win 96-91 to grab a two games to one lead in the NBA Finals.

LeBron James converted this alley-oop pass from Matthew Dellavedova (far right) for a pivotal basket in the fourth quarter.

Despite Steph Curry's attempt to hold Matthew Dellavedova back, the Cavs guard kept driving toward the basket on this play and hit a circus shot off the glass and drew a foul.

Steph Curry found his shooting touch in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 points as the Warriors, who trailed by 20 in the third quarter, refused to go away. (Text credit: AP)

Matthew Dellavedova dove to the floor for a loose ball ahead of the Warriors.

LeBron James finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in 46 minutes.

Tristan Thompson scored 10 points and had 13 rebounds for Golden State.

LeBron James has scored 123 points in the series, the most ever scored by a player through the first three games of the Finals.

LeBron James threw down a monster dunk in the first half.

LeBron James's 40-point effort followed 44-point and 39-point efforts in Games 1 and 2, respectively.

Timofey Mozgov blocks a shot by Festus Ezeli.

The Warriors' Klay Thompson attempts to grab a loose ball.

LeBron James attempted 34 shots in his 46 minutes on the floor.

Tristan Thompson makes an emphatic finish on an easy basket.

Steph Curry scored only three points in the first quarter on 1-of-6 shooting and had only 10 at halftime.

Cleveland held the NBA's highest scoring team to a measley 37 points in the first half.

Published Jun 10, 2015

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