LeBron James

The stylistic clash on November 15, 2024 couldn’t have been more unique, as LeBron James led the purple-and-gold into a battle between last year's In-Season Tournament champion, and one still eyeing its first-ever NBA Cup victory. Knowing the urgency the San Antonio Spurs would inevitably bring, James’ approach in title defense No. 1 boiled down, ironically, to one thing: staying on the offensive. Clinging to a one-point lead in the final half-minute, James, working well-documented wink-wink chemistry alongside his All-NBA big man, ambitiously times an around-the-arc cut to the rim with his teammate’s screen. Powerful in his attack with multiple black-jerseyed Spurs giving aggressive chase, James banks in a game-securing layup, drawing both audibly-stunned confusion and admiration from the Alamo crowd. Busy finding additional ways to enter the NBA’s history books, James’ efforts allowed for a fourth-consecutive triple-double, the first stretch of its kind in his 22-year career. Tying Los Angeles’ franchise record along the way, James’ ultimate contribution concluded as follows: 15 points (on 6-of-12 shooting), 16 rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer.