CLEVELAND – LeBron James has at least four more with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Maybe more. But at least four.
Facing elimination in the first round for the first time in his career and playing in the first Game 7 in the first round of his career, James delivered another legendary performance and kept the Cavs’ season alive with 45 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals in Cleveland’s 105-101 victory over Indiana.
It was James’ 22nd career playoff game with at least 40 points, including his third in this series, and an axiom remains true: Beating James four times in an Eastern Conference series remains incredibly difficult.
James is now 5-2 in Game 7s with five consecutive victories and is averaging 34.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists in a Game 7.
Rarely does a first-round game have such far-ranging implications for a player, a franchise and a league. The stakes were gargantuan.
James’ future is up in the air, just like it was after his 2009-10 season with Cleveland and after his 2013-14 season with Miami. He is expected to be a free agent this summer, and losing in the first round after three consecutive Finals appearances was bound to have an impact on James’ decision.
The question of where James plays next season – Cleveland or elsewhere -- has been delayed for at least another series. The Cavaliers face Toronto in the conference semifinals starting with Game 1 on Tuesday.
More NBA
If the Cavs were going down in the Eastern Conference playoffs after three consecutive Finals appearances, it was happening with a Hall of Fame effort from James.
As the stats indicate, James looks to score in a Game 7, and Sunday was no different. He made his first seven shots and was 11 for 16 shooting with 26 points at halftime.
During a stretch in the third quarter when Indiana eliminated a deficit and tied the score at 64-64, James scored 10 consecutive points.
ABC captured James telling a courtside friend that he was going to play the entire game if necessary. That didn’t happen because James checked out of the game with one minute left in the third quarter and went to the locker room to get treated for leg cramps. Cleveland led 75-73 when he left the game, and it was 86-79 Cavs when he returned to the court.
It was a key stretch of the game. The Pacers had a chance to take advantage of James’ absence, and they didn’t. Kevin Love, who had 14 points and six rebounds, made a three-pointer and two-pointer to extend Cleveland’s lead.
It was Cleveland’s best all-around effort of the first round, and James finally had the kind of help necessary to advance.
Pacers star Victor Oladipo did all he could in a hostile environment, finishing with 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting. Darren Collison played his best game of the series and finished with 23 points.
Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue made a shrewd decision, inserting Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup after playing Thompson just 23 minutes in the previous six games. The move worked. Thompson had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
George Hill (back spasms) hadn’t played since Game 3 but played 19 meaningful minutes Sunday. He had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists and was plus-eight when he was on the floor. J.R. Smith added 11 points.
It’s that kind of production the Cavs need in the next round, the kind of help that alleviates some of the pressure on James.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter.
