One day after an episode of The Shop dropped in which LeBron James said he was “pissed off” about not being considered an all-time great scorer, the man with the most points in NBA history unloaded for 56 points in the Los Angeles Lakers win over the Golden State Warriors. It was tied for the third-highest single-game total of his 19-year NBA career and marked his 14th 50+ point outing (including playoffs) — seventh-most ever.

We'll see if it sparks a turnaround for the reeling Lakers (28-35), who have lost 11 of 15 games and have been playing generally uninspired basketball as they slip towards the No. 10 seed. LeBron can't score 56 points every game, after all, and the veteran group has tended to follow up promising showings with duds.

Instead of drawing any major conclusions from a thrilling night at Crypto.com Arena, let's take a moment and contextualize LeBron's latest MasterClass other notable 50+ point performances from his unparalleled career. Obviously, this is an objectively correct ranking.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bS8UiZo3SFCm4SvDh5uv5?si=a85d1610b23f497c

5) March 5, 2022, vs. the Golden State Warriors

You can go here for more on LeBron's incredible performance vs. the Warriors. In summation: not only was Saturday's spectacle amongst the most voluminous scoring nights of his career — and his high with Los Angeles — he nearly single-handedly carried the Lakers to a much-needed win over Steph Curry and Co.

In less than 40 minutes of action, LeBron James converted 19-of-31 from the field, 6-of-11 from three (including three in a row in a game-changing third-quarter surge), and 12-of-13 from the line. He added 10 rebounds. At age 37.

As Frank Vogel pointed out, the perimeter-oriented onslaught from James reflected his willingness to evolve his game as he's aged.

“There’s really no words for it,” Frank Vogel said postgame. “An incredible performance. The best to ever do it in my opinion. The biggest thing is what he’s done to transition his game at this stage of his career with his shooting. It's just an example for every player, to put the work in to his craft. To go 6-11 from three, 12-13 from the free-throw line, still have the power to attack the basket the way he has, and the stamina. Just remarkable to be doing at this stage of his career.”

4) Nov. 3, 2017: 57 points vs. Washington Wizards

During simpler times in the nation's capital, LeBron James posted arguably the most impressive box score of his illustrious ride: 57 points, 23-for-34 FG, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks. Must've been nice for his fantasy owners.

3) March 3, 2014: 61 points vs. the Charlotte Bobcats

LeBron's career-high. In his final campaign with the Miami Heat, against Michael Jordan's club, James eclipsed the 60-point threshold for the only time of his career. He nailed 22-of-33 shot attempts, including 8-of-10 from three-point range. Plus, he did it while donning a memorable mask:

2) Feb. 4, 2009: “Triple-double” at Madison Square Garden

Because they never matched up in the Finals, the height of the Kobe vs. LeBron discourse may have occurred one week in Manhattan during the winter of 2009.

Merely two days after Bryant torched poor Wilson Chandler and the New York Knicks for the most clinical 61 points imaginable, LeBron staged his own show worthy of Broadway that spotlighted his all-around artistry. LeBron sang, danced, and dazzled his way to 52 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists at the Mecca.

If you recall, he was initially credited with a triple-double before the league retroactively rescinded a rebound upon review (Ben Wallace was appreciative). Regardless, the Knicks game represented the perfect encapsulation of both LeBron's multi-faceted talents and the Mamba/King debate.

1) 2018 NBA Finals, Game 1: 51 points

Even though this is the only performance on this list that came in a loss, I'm placing it at no. 1 for a specific, scientific reason: It might be the greatest basketball game ever played.

LeBron James — carrying a banged-up, No. 4-seeded Cavs team against the unbeatable Kevin Durant Warriors, and knowing they needed to steal Game 1 to have any chance in the series — powered his way to 51 points on 19-0f-31 shooting, plus 8 rebounds and 8 assists, in a hectic Oracle Arena enviroment. He palpably controlled every moment of the action in the 48 minutes he was on the cour. He nearly outplayed a historically elite Warriors group by himself.

The highlight-reel, while spectacular, doesn't adequately capture the will and all-around dominance of LeBron's epic performance. But, if you watched this game live, you remember. It's a “tell your grandkids” game.

“They have a guy who's playing basketball at a level that I'm not sure anyone's ever seen before when you consider everything he's doing,” Steve Kerr said afterward.

Unfortunately for LeBron — and fortunately for the Warriors, NBA Twitter, and the meme ecosystem — his masterpiece was defiled by J.R. Smith.