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LeBron, Irving 1st teammates to score 40 each in NBA Finals game

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Cleveland Cavaliers' dynamic duo of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving willed their team to a decisive Game 5 victory on Monday on the back of an offensive eruption for the ages.

For the first time in league history, a pair of teammates scored 40 points apiece in an NBA Finals game, as James and Irving each had 41 in a 112-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

Such a feat has only taken place three other times in an NBA playoff game: Jalen Rose and Reggie Miller accomplished it for the Indiana Pacers in 2000, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler did so for the Houston Rockets in 1995, and Olajuwon and Sleepy Floyd pulled it off in 1988.

Date Player Team Opponent Points
6/13/2016 LeBron James Cavaliers Warriors 41
6/13/2016 Kyrie Irving Cavaliers Warriors 41
5/6/2000 Reggie Miller Pacers 76ers 40
5/6/2000 Jalen Rose Pacers 76ers 40
5/5/1995 Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets Jazz 40
5/5/1995 Clyde Drexler Rockets Jazz 41
4/30/1988 Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets Mavericks 41
4/30/1988 Sleepy Floyd Rockets Mavericks 42

(courtesy: Basketball-Reference.com)

The defending champions had no answer for the Batman and Robin combo throughout the evening, as the two knocked down shots from all areas of the floor as if the Warriors defenders were nowhere in sight. In fact, James and Irving either scored or assisted on 60 of Cleveland's final 64 points, which is huge considering the game was tied at halftime.

The Cavaliers may need similar performances in Game 6 on Thursday to continue clawing back in the series. The Warriors still maintain a series lead at 3-2.

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