LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were absolutely unstoppable in Game 5, which the Cleveland Cavaliers won by a score of 112-97 over the Golden State Warriors.
By now you’re probably heard the dynamic duo made history by becoming the only two players from the same team to score at least 40 points in an NBA Finals game. As if that were not impressive enough, check out this ridiculous stat that shows the true measure of their impact.
In a Finals elimination game, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving scored or assisted 97 of the Cavs' 112 points tonight.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 14, 2016
Both played like men possessed, scoring 41 points apiece. James added 16 rebounds and seven assists, while Irving had three boards and six assists.
One wonders if James would have had as many opportunities if Draymond Green had been playing Monday night. The Warriors’ forward had to watch the game from O.co Coliseum after he was suspended for slapping James in the jewels (watch here), a move Charles Barkley called “a moral obligation.”
Green is now highly motivated for some payback after being forced to watch his team suffer without him. It’s likely James and Irving will have to have another epic showing in Game 6 in order for the Cavaliers to force a Game 7. Until Green’s conveniently timed suspension, the Warriors had full control of the series, up 3-1.
The series commences on Thursday, June 16 at Quicken Loans Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET.