LeBron James' top 10 games of the 2021-22 season: No. 3

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Late in the 2021-22 season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ fortunes were crumbling fast, and LeBron James was trying to salvage some of the team’s dignity. [{ "selector": ".ixrce-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

One of those teams was the Washington Wizards, who the Lakers hosted on March 11.

Days earlier, James erupted for 56 points in a win over the eventual world champion Golden State Warriors.

On this night, he had something of an encore, going for 50 points on 18-of-25 overall shooting and 6-of-9 from 3-point land, seven rebounds and six assists.

James sparked a big third quarter in which the Lakers outscored Washington 37-23, and it propelled them to a 122-109 victory. [{ "selector": ".grjre-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

With Anthony Davis once again suffering a significant injury, the four-time MVP believed he had to score lots and lots of points to give his team a chance at victory each night – even against poor teams. [{ "selector": ".aroaa-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]