LeBron James is doing whatever it takes for him and the Lakers to not get swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
Ahead of Game 4, James said that the Lakers "just gotta get one" as they faced elimination, emphasizing a "one at a time" approach. As it turns out, the "one at a time" approach is on a per-quarter basis.
With the Lakers trotting out a new starting lineup in Game 4, James not only turned in the best quarter of the 2023 postseason, but he also turned in the best quarter of his postseason career, scoring 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-3 shooting from deep.
LEBRON IN #PLAYOFFMODE
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2023
21 PTS in the 1st quarter!
DEN/LAL Game 4 | ESPN pic.twitter.com/jn59J64Zep
Where does this rank among James' best quarters in the NBA Playoffs? Here is where everything measures up to his play in the opening frame of Game 4.
MORE: How has LeBron James performed when facing a sweep?
LeBron James most points in a playoff quarter
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, James tied the best scoring quarters of his playoff career with 21 points.
James matched a total he set two other times, doing so in the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Celtics and in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, which was also against the Celtics. In each instance, James' 21-point outbursts have come in the opening quarter.
| Rank | Year | Points | Opponent | Quarter |
| 1. | 2023 | 21 | Nuggets | 1 |
| 2018 | 21 | Celtics | 1 | |
| 2010 | 21 | Celtics | 1 | |
| 4. | 2018 | 20 | Pacers | 1 |
| 5. | 2014 | 19 | Spurs | 3 |
LeBron James most points in a playoff half
James tacked on an additional 10 points in the second quarter, bringing his total to 31 points in the first half. In his 283rd playoff game at 38 years old, James turned in the most prolific half of his playoff career.
In his playoff career, James' teams are 8-1 when he scores 27 or more points in a half — first or second.
| Rank | Year | Points | Opponent | Half |
| 1. | 2023 | 31 | Nuggets | 1 |
| 2. | 2012 | 30 | Celtics | 1 |
| 3. | 2020 | 29 | Rockets | 1 |
| 2018 | 29 | Pacers | 1 | |
| 4. | 2017 | 28 | Celtics | 1 |
| 2010 | 28 | Celtics | 2 |
LeBron James career-high points
LeBron James' career-high for points in the playoffs is 51, set in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. James' career-high for points in the regular season is 61.