Now in his 22nd season, LeBron James is still making waves in the NBA. He came into the league with sky-high expectations, and somehow, he’s managed to exceed them all. The Toronto Raptors know this all too well. From his early days in Cleveland to his recent seasons in Los Angeles, LeBron has consistently been a tough matchup for them. Each time they go head-to-head, it’s a reminder of just how dominant he is, continually adding to his iconic legacy.
With the Toronto Raptors hosting the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, it’s the perfect time to look back at LeBron's best performances against the Raptors. Over the years, he's delivered some unforgettable moments and game-winning plays that have left Raptors fans in awe (and sometimes frustration). Let’s dive into the top five times he took over and showed exactly why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.
No. 5: Youngest to score 50
On March 20, 2005, at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, 20-year-old LeBron James made history by becoming the youngest player ever to score 50 points in a single game. This record would later be surpassed by a 19-year-old Brandon Jennings, five years later. LeBron finished with 56 points on 50 percent shooting, contributing 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 three-pointers.
During the 2004-05 NBA season, scoring 50 points was a rare achievement, accomplished only eight times, with the league average at just 97.2 points per game. Despite James’ remarkable performance, accounting for over half of his team’s total, the Cavaliers lost 105-98 to the Raptors. Nevertheless, this game provided a glimpse of the greatness that would define James’ career as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
No. 4: Fourth quarter comeback King
On January 6, 2008, LeBron James dazzled the Toronto crowd, delivering the type of performance that fans had come to expect. The Cavaliers trailed for most of the game, facing a 13-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. Entering those final 12 minutes with only 15 points, LeBron knew he had to take charge to secure Cleveland’s 25th win of the season.
James attacked the basket relentlessly, drawing defenders and finishing strong. This allowed him to hit four three-pointers, scoring 24 points in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, he finished with 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, leading the Cavaliers to a 93-90 victory.
No. 3: A series away from a championship
At the top of the Eastern Conference standings in the 2015-16 season, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers had one goal: to bring Northeast Ohio its first NBA championship. After reaching the Finals the previous year without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, the Cavs were determined to seize the moment with their star trio fully healthy.
The Toronto Raptors, who finished just one game behind Cleveland, were also in pursuit of their first title. LeBron led the Cavs past the Raptors in a 4-2 series win, ultimately securing the championship. While his postseason numbers weren't as outrageous as usual, he expertly controlled the pace of each game. Even in losses, LeBron dictated the tempo. His clutch scoring, defensive versatility, and ability to elevate his teammates provided Cleveland with everything they needed to achieve their goal.
No. 2: Perfect post-season sweep
As the 2016-17 playoffs progressed into the second round, the Raptors faced a formidable opponent. Fresh off his third Finals MVP award, James was determined to reach the Finals for the seventh consecutive time. His performance was overwhelmingly dominant, defined by impressive shooting percentages of 56 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc.
This efficiency created a daunting challenge for Toronto. The Cavaliers swept the series, averaging a point differential of 15. LeBron posted impressive averages of 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. His remarkable performance proved too much for the Raptors to overcome.
No. 1: LeBronto
The 2018 version of LeBron James is often regarded as one of the most complete in his career. Known on social media as "LeThanos," he fiercely battled on the court. He averaged an impressive 42 minutes per game during the 2017-18 postseason. With the departure of Kyrie Irving in the offseason, the team struggled to fill that gap. As a result, the burden fell heavily on LeBron's shoulders. This situation compelled him to deliver extraordinary performances each time he played.
The Toronto Raptors finished the season atop the Eastern Conference with an impressive 59-23 record, while the Cavaliers ranked fourth, nine games behind. With home-court advantage in the first two matchups, LeBron James delivered a shooting clinic in front of the Toronto crowd, consistently hitting difficult fall-away jumpers. By the end of the third quarter of game two, ESPN announcer Mark Jones referred to Toronto as "LeBronto", coining the term in light of LeBron's dominance. James propelled the Cavaliers to a commanding 2-0 series lead with a stellar performance, scoring 43 points and dishing out 14 assists that game.
The defining moment of LeBron's excellence over the Raptors unfolds in Game three. With just under six seconds remaining and the score tied at 103, LeBron brings the ball up the court. He crosses over to his left and launches a difficult, deep floater over OG Anunoby. The shot banks high off the glass and falls in, sealing the game with a dramatic walk-off winner. This demoralizing play set the stage for the Raptors to be blown out by 35 points in game four. Once again, LeBron swept Toronto, reinforcing why he’s considered one of, if not the greatest player of all time.