OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, Calif. — LeBron James and his relentless, never-count-them-out Cavaliers pulled off an improbable NBA Finals comeback, and Cleveland is title town again at long last.
James delivered on a promise from two years ago to bring a championship to his native northeast Ohio, and he and the Cavs became the first team to rally from a 3-1 finals deficit by beating the defending champion Golden State Warriors 93-89 on Sunday night to end a 52-year major sports championship drought in Cleveland.
James almost single-handedly carried the Cavs back into this series and finished with 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds as the Cavs captured their first championship in franchise history and gave their city its first major sports winner since the Browns won the NFL title in 1964.
“CLEVELAND! This is for you!” James bellowed in his postgame interview before being announced as the NBA Finals MVP.
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, center, celebrates with teammates after Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. The Cavaliers won 93-89. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after losing 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: A general view of ORACLE Arena prior to Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, Pool)
John G. Mabanglo, European Pressphoto Agency via AP
Golden State Warriors forward Marreese Speights, bottom, shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (John G. Mabanglo, European Pressphoto Agency via AP, Pool)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring a three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Eric Risberg, Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks in front of Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, center, is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Anderson Varejao during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Fans cheer as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gestures during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after scoring next to Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors high-fives Leandro Barbosa #19 after a play in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gestures after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers controls the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, yells next to assistant coach Luke Walton during the second half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, right, is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the second half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors throws up a shot against Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green reacts after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors defends LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a three-point basket against the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers blocks a shot by Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers kisses his daughter Zhuri during a press conference after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 to win the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, center, celebrates with teammates after Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. The Cavaliers won 93-89. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
An emotional James fell to the floor when this one ended with a second win in six days on Golden State’s imposing home floor, surrounded by his teammates. Only seconds earlier, he went down in pain with 10.6 seconds left after being fouled by Draymond Green while going for a dunk, then came back out to make the second of two free throws.
“We made history tonight,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “Cleveland, Ohio, we’re coming back, baby!”
Kyrie Irving scored 26 points to cap his brilliant finals, including a 3-pointer over MVP Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left.
Curry sat briefly on the bench to take in the scene after the Warriors made their last basket with 4:39 left.
Green had 32 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, but the Warriors’ record-setting season ended without the only prize this close-knit “Strength In Numbers” crew cared about from way back in the beginning — through the record 24-0 start as Coach of the Year Steve Kerr was out, Curry’s second consecutive MVP campaign, and the 73 regular-season wins to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ mark.
They might always be remembered as one of the best teams ever that couldn’t close it out.
