# 2005–06 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2005–06 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 36th season of NBA basketball in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers finished the season with a 50–32 record, and a second-place finish in the Central Division, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1998. In the playoffs, the Cavaliers defeated the Washington Wizards in six games in the first round and reached the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference where they lost in seven games to the Detroit Pistons. LeBron James was the team's leading scorer and was named to the All-NBA first team. He was also selected to play in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game where he won his first All-Star MVP.
For this season, they added new dark blue road alternate uniforms added side panels to their jerseys and shorts, they remained in use until 2010.

## Offseason
### Free agents

Additions :
| Player | Date | Former team |
| Larry Hughes | August 4 | Washington Wizards |
| Donyell Marshall | August 4 | Toronto Raptors |
| Damon Jones | September 8 | Miami Heat |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | September 13 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Alan Henderson | September 17 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Zendon Hamilton | September 30 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Mike Wilks | September 30 | San Antonio Spurs |
Subtractions :
| Player | Date | New team |
| Scott Williams | April 15 | Retired |
| Robert Traylor | June 15 | Gestibérica Vigo |
| Lucious Harris | June 16 | Free Agent |
| Jeff McInnis | August 11 | New Jersey Nets |
| Desagana Diop | August 19 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Dajuan Wagner | | Free Agent |
| Jérôme Moïso | | Lottomatica Roma |

### Trades

| June 28, 2005 | To Cleveland Cavaliers 2006 2nd round draft pick | To Milwaukee Bucks Jiří Welsch |
| June 29, 2005 | To Cleveland Cavaliers Rights to Martynas Andriuskevicius | To Orlando Magic 2006 2nd round draft pick and cash |

## Draft picks

Cleveland did not have a draft pick in the 2005 NBA Draft due to trades from previous seasons.
* 1st round pick (#13) traded to Phoenix in Wesley Person deal, sent to Charlotte as part of expansion selection. Used to draft Sean May.
* 2nd round pick (#44) traded to Orlando in Drew Gooden deal. Used to draft Martynas Andriuskevicius who was traded back to Cleveland.

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Detroit Pistons | 64 | 18 | .780 | - | 37–4 | 27–14 | 13–3 |
| x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 14 | 31–10 | 19–22 | 11–5 |
| x-Indiana Pacers | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | 27–14 | 14–27 | 6–10 |
| x-Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | 21–20 | 20–21 | 4–12 |
| x-Milwaukee Bucks | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 | 25–16 | 15–26 | 6–10 |
Eastern Conferencevte :
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Detroit Pistons | 64 | 18 | .780 | - |
| 2 | y-Miami Heat | 52 | 30 | .634 | 12 |
| 3 | y-New Jersey Nets | 49 | 33 | .598 | 15 |
| 4 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 14 |
| 5 | x-Washington Wizards | 42 | 40 | .512 | 22 |
| 6 | x-Indiana Pacers | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 |
| 7 | x-Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 |
| 8 | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 |
| 9 | Philadelphia 76ers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 26 |
| 10 | Orlando Magic | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28 |
| 11 | Boston Celtics | 33 | 49 | .402 | 31 |
| 12 | Toronto Raptors | 27 | 55 | .329 | 37 |
| 13 | Charlotte Bobcats | 26 | 56 | .317 | 38 |
| 14 | Atlanta Hawks | 26 | 56 | .317 | 38 |
| 15 | New York Knicks | 23 | 59 | .280 | 41 |

### Record vs. opponents

2005-06 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOK | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
| Boston | 1–2 | — | 2–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Charlotte | 3–1 | 1–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Chicago | 3–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | — | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Cleveland | 2–1 | 4–0 | 3–0 | 4–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 |
| Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Memphis | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Milwaukee | 3–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Minnesota | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 |
| New Orleans/Oklahoma City | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| New York | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Orlando | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Philadelphia | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — | 1–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | — | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 |
| Utah | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 |
| Washington | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log

2005–06 game log Total: 50–32 (home: 30–11; road: 20–21) :
November: 10–4 (home: 7–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1November 2, 2005New Orleans/Oklahoma City
W 109–87
LeBron James (31)
Donyell Marshall (9)
Larry Hughes (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
1–0
2November 4, 2005@ San Antonio
L 76–102
LeBron James (20)
Donyell Marshall (10)
LeBron James (4)
SBC Center 18,797
1–1
3November 5, 2005@ Memphis
L 106–113
LeBron James (36)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (6)
FedEx Forum 17,368
1–2
4November 7, 2005@ Toronto
W 105–93
LeBron James (27)
Donyell Marshall (11)
LeBron James (6)
Air Canada Centre 18,281
2–2
5November 9, 2005Seattle
W 112–85
LeBron James (31)
Donyell Marshall, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Alan Henderson (9)
Larry Hughes (5)
Gund Arena 19,564
3–2
6November 11, 2005Memphis
W 89–70
LeBron James (16)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
Larry Hughes, Eric Snow (5)
Gund Arena 16,554
4–2
7November 13, 2005@ Orlando
W 108–100 (OT)
LeBron James (26)
Larry Hughes (9)
Larry Hughes (7)
TD Waterhouse Centre 15,414
5–2
8November 15, 2005Washington
W 114–99
LeBron James (37)
LeBron James (10)
Larry Hughes (8)
Gund Arena 17,685
6–2
9November 18, 2005Orlando
W 102–84
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
Larry Hughes (6)
Gund Arena 18,591
7–2
10November 19, 2005@ Philadelphia
W 123–120
Larry Hughes (37)
Drew Gooden (13)
LeBron James (10)
Wachovia Center 18,908
8–2
11November 22, 2005Boston
W 115–93
LeBron James (36)
Drew Gooden (15)
Eric Snow (9)
Gund Arena 17,139
9–2
12November 24, 2005@ Indiana
L 76–98
LeBron James (19)
LeBron James (10)
LeBron James (4)
Conseco Fieldhouse 17,243
9–3
13November 26, 2005Minnesota
L 85–89
LeBron James (38)
Drew Gooden (12)
Eric Snow (3)
Gund Arena 20,562
9–4
14November 30, 2005L.A. Clippers
W 112–105 (OT)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 18,209
10–4 :
December
: 8–6 (home: 6–2; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
15December 2, 2005@ Seattle
L 108–115
LeBron James (34)
Drew Gooden (7)
LeBron James (8)
KeyArena 17,072
10–5
16December 3, 2005@ L.A. Clippers
L 90–102
LeBron James (30)
Drew Gooden (12)
LeBron James (6)
STAPLES Center 18,369
10–6
17December 6, 2005@ Sacramento
W 102–97
LeBron James (30)
Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (7)
LeBron James, Larry Hughes (6)
ARCO Arena 17,317
11–6
18December 9, 2005New Jersey
L 100–109
LeBron James (32)
Donyell Marshall (10)
Eric Snow (5)
Gund Arena 18,177
11–7
19December 10, 2005@ Milwaukee
L 106–111
LeBron James (52)
LeBron James, Donyell Marshall (7)
LeBron James (7)
Bradley Center 18,717
11–8
20December 13, 2005Atlanta
L 94–100
LeBron James (39)
Drew Gooden (11)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (6)
Gund Arena 17,114
11–9
21December 15, 2005Denver
W 94–85
LeBron James (26)
Donyell Marshall (12)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 17,182
12–9
22December 17, 2005Miami
W 115–107
LeBron James (41)
Donyell Marshall (13)
LeBron James (10)
Gund Arena 20,562
13–9
23December 20, 2005Utah
W 110–85
LeBron James (25)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (7)
Eric Snow (6)
Gund Arena 19,543
14–9
24December 22, 2005@ Chicago
W 108–100
LeBron James (37)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (6)
United Center 21,874
15–9
25December 23, 2005Indiana
W 94–89
Drew Gooden (21)
Drew Gooden (12)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 18,757
16–9
26December 26, 2005Chicago
W 102–91
LeBron James (32)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
17–9
27December 27, 2005@ New Jersey
L 91–96
LeBron James (31)
Donyell Marshall (14)
LeBron James (8)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,098
17–10
28December 31, 2005Detroit
W 97–84
LeBron James (30)
Drew Gooden (13)
LeBron James (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
18–10 :
January
: 8–7 (home: 3–2; road: 5–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
29January 4, 2006@ Milwaukee
W 91–84
LeBron James (32)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James (11)
Bradley Center 15,785
19–10
30January 5, 2006Houston
L 81–90
LeBron James (32)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (5)
Gund Arena 18,019
19–11
31January 7, 2006Milwaukee
W 96–88
LeBron James (35)
Drew Gooden (17)
LeBron James (6)
Gund Arena 19,840
20–11
32January 10, 2006New York
L 84–92
LeBron James (36)
Drew Gooden (12)
LeBron James (7)
Gund Arena 18,064
20–12
33January 12, 2006@ L.A. Lakers
L 98–99
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29)
Drew Gooden (11)
LeBron James (9)
STAPLES Center 18,997
20–13
34January 14, 2006@ Phoenix
L 106–115
LeBron James (46)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
LeBron James (8)
America West Arena 18,422
20–14
35January 15, 2006@ Portland
L 106–115
LeBron James (29)
LeBron James (13)
LeBron James (7)
Rose Garden Arena 19,383
20–15
36January 18, 2006@ Denver
L 89–90
LeBron James (24)
Alan Henderson (12)
LeBron James (9)
Pepsi Center 19,009
20–16
37January 20, 2006@ Golden State
L 79–99
Drew Gooden (16)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (6)
Oakland Arena 20,205
20–17
38January 21, 2006@ Utah
W 108–90
LeBron James (51)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8)
LeBron James (8)
Delta Center 19,340
21–17
39January 24, 2006Indiana
W 96–66
LeBron James (23)
Drew Gooden (10)
LeBron James (8)
Gund Arena 19,069
22–17
40January 25, 2006@ Atlanta
W 106–97
LeBron James (38)
Drew Gooden (14)
Eric Snow (8)
Philips Arena 16,089
23–17
41January 27, 2006@ Indiana
W 93–89
LeBron James (30)
LeBron James (7)
LeBron James (9)
Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
24–17
42January 29, 2006Phoenix
W 113–106
LeBron James (44)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
25–17
43January 30, 2006@ Charlotte
W 103–91
LeBron James (30)
Drew Gooden (12)
Eric Snow (7)
Charlotte Bobcats Arena 17,142
26–17 :
February
: 6–8 (home: 4–4; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
44February 1, 2006New Jersey
W 91–85
LeBron James (26)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James (10)
Gund Arena 19,460
27–17
45February 2, 2006@ Miami
L 73–101
LeBron James (29)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden (8)
LeBron James (7)
AmericanAirlines Arena 20,168
27–18
46February 4, 2006Philadelphia
L 95–100
LeBron James (31)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
27–19
47February 6, 2006Milwaukee
W 89–86
LeBron James (22)
LeBron James (9)
LeBron James (12)
Gund Arena 19,126
28–19
48February 8, 2006@ Minnesota
W 97–91
LeBron James (35)
Donyell Marshall (13)
LeBron James (8)
Target Center 17,093
29–19
49February 10, 2006@ Washington
L 89–101
LeBron James (18)
LeBron James, Drew Gooden (9)
LeBron James (8)
MCI Center 20,173
29–20
50February 11, 2006Golden State
L 91–99
LeBron James (33)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8)
Damon Jones (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
29–21
51February 13, 2006San Antonio
W 101–87
LeBron James (44)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
Eric Snow (6)
Gund Arena 19,486
30–21
52February 15, 2006@ Boston
W 113–109 (2OT)
LeBron James (43)
LeBron James (12)
LeBron James (11)
TD Garden 17,915
31–21
53February 21, 2006Orlando
W 105–92
LeBron James (26)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 20,562
32–21
54February 22, 2006@ Philadelphia
L 107–116
LeBron James (33)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden (9)
Eric Snow (8)
Wachovia Center 20,196
32–22
55February 24, 2006Washington
L 94–102
LeBron James (25)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 20,562
32–23
56February 26, 2006@ Detroit
L 78–90
LeBron James (22)
LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
LeBron James (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
32–24
57February 27, 2006Detroit
L 72–84
LeBron James (26)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (15)
LeBron James (6)
Gund Arena 19,286
32–25 :
March
: 10–4 (home: 7–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
58March 1, 2006Sacramento
L 90–97
LeBron James, Ronald Murray, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
LeBron James (7)
LeBron James (12)
Gund Arena 17,363
32–26
59March 2, 2006@ Chicago
W 92–91
LeBron James (33)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (8)
United Center 20,726
33–26
60March 5, 2006Chicago
L 72–91
LeBron James (37)
Anderson Varejão (13)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
34–26
61March 7, 2006Toronto
W 106–99
Ronald Murray (24)
LeBron James (12)
Eric Snow (11)
Gund Arena 18,077
35–26
62March 8, 2006@ Toronto
W 98–97
LeBron James (35)
Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall (8)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (6)
Air Canada Centre 19,800
36–26
63March 10, 2006@ Orlando
L 73–102
LeBron James (25)
Drew Gooden (12)
Eric Snow (5)
TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
36–27
64March 12, 2006@ Miami
L 92–98
LeBron James (47)
Drew Gooden (12)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (4)
AmericanAirlines Arena 20,268
36–28
65March 14, 2006@ Dallas
L 87–91
LeBron James (36)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (5)
American Airlines Center 20,425
36–29
66March 17, 2006Portland
W 99–84
LeBron James (27)
Drew Gooden (14)
LeBron James, Eric Snow (5)
Gund Arena 20,562
37–29
67March 19, 2006L.A. Lakers
W 96–95
LeBron James (29)
Drew Gooden (9)
LeBron James (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
38–29
68March 22, 2006Charlotte
W 120–118 (OT)
LeBron James (37)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James (12)
Gund Arena 18,550
39–29
69March 24, 2006Boston
W 94–82
LeBron James (36)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
40–29
70March 26, 2006@ Houston
W 104–102 (OT)
LeBron James (36)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden (8)
Damon Jones (6)
Toyota Center 16,839
41–29
71March 29, 2006Dallas
W 107–94
LeBron James (46)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
Eric Snow (5)
Gund Arena 19,401
42–29 :
April
: 8–3 (home: 4–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
72April 1, 2006Miami
W 106–99
LeBron James (47)
LeBron James (12)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 20,562
43–29
73April 2, 2006@ Charlotte
W 101–97
LeBron James (35)
LeBron James (12)
LeBron James (8)
Charlotte Bobcats Arena 18,491
44–29
74April 4, 2006Philadelphia
W 124–91
LeBron James (37)
Anderson Varejão (14)
LeBron James (7)
Gund Arena 18,581
45–29
75April 5, 2006@ New York
L 94–96
LeBron James (36)
Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejão (12)
LeBron James (7)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
45–30
76April 8, 2006@ New Jersey
W 108–102
LeBron James (37)
Drew Gooden (9)
LeBron James (7)
Continental Airlines Arena 19,048
46–30
77April 10, 2006@ New Orleans/Oklahoma City
W 103–101
LeBron James (32)
Anderson Varejão (8)
LeBron James (6)
Ford Center 19,187
47–30
78April 12, 2006@ Detroit
L 73–96
LeBron James (22)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8)
Damon Jones (4)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
47–31
79April 13, 2006New York
W 91–87
Larry Hughes (26)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14)
Larry Hughes (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
48–31
80April 16, 2006@ Washington
L 92–104
LeBron James (17)
Anderson Varejão, Drew Gooden (9)
LeBron James, Ronald Murray (4)
MCI Center 18,405
48–32
81April 17, 2006@ Boston
W 93–88
Larry Hughes (21)
Larry Hughes (5)
Eric Snow (9)
TD Garden 18,624
49–32
82April 19, 2006Atlanta
W 100–99
Ronald Murray (19)
Anderson Varejão (18)
Ronald Murray (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
50–32 :
2005–06 schedule :

## Player stats

Regular Season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| LeBron James | 79 | 79 | 42.5 | 48.0% | 73.8% | 33.5% | 1.56 | .84 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 31.4 |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 78 | 78 | 29.3 | 50.6% | 83.4% | 0.0% | .49 | 1.74 | 1.2 | 7.6 | 15.6 |
| Larry Hughes | 36 | 31 | 35.6 | 40.9% | 75.6% | 36.8% | 1.47 | .58 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 15.5 |
| Flip Murray | 28 | 25 | 36.7 | 44.8% | 70.2% | 30.8% | 1.36 | .25 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 13.5 |
| Drew Gooden | 79 | 79 | 27.5 | 51.2% | 68.2% | 33.3% | .66 | .62 | .7 | 8.4 | 10.7 |
| Donyell Marshall | 81 | 0 | 25.6 | 39.5% | 74.8% | 32.4% | .73 | .51 | .7 | 6.1 | 9.3 |
| Damon Jones | 82 | 7 | 25.5 | 38.7% | 64.0% | 37.7% | .45 | .01 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 6.7 |
| Eric Snow | 82 | 0 | 28.8 | 40.9% | 68.8% | 10.0% | .93 | .23 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 4.8 |
| Anderson Varejão | 48 | 4 | 15.8 | 52.7% | 51.3% | 0.0% | .65 | .40 | .4 | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Sasha Pavlović | 53 | 19 | 15.3 | 41.0% | 65.3% | 36.5% | .36 | .11 | .5 | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| Stephen Graham | 13 | 0 | 9.0 | 42.4% | 88.9% | 0.0% | .23 | .15 | .2 | 1.3 | 2.8 |
| Luke Jackson | 36 | 0 | 8.8 | 34.1% | 78.8% | 33.3% | .31 | .06 | .7 | 1.1 | 2.7 |
| Alan Henderson | 51 | 3 | 10.4 | 51.6% | 67.3% | 0.0% | .18 | .24 | .2 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Zendon Hamilton | 11 | 0 | 4.2 | 53.8% | 68.8% | 0.0% | .03 | .00 | .0 | 1.0 | 2.3 |
| Ira Newble | 36 | 3 | 9.8 | 29.3% | 68.8% | 23.1% | .14 | .28 | .3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Mike Wilks | 37 | 0 | 6.6 | 28.8% | 50.0% | 14.3% | .02 | .00 | .5 | .7 | 1.1 |
| Martynas Andriuskevicius | 6 | 0 | 1.5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | .33 | .00 | .0 | .7 | 0.0 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| LeBron James | 13 | 13 | 46.5 | 47.6% | 73.7% | 33.3% | 1.38 | .69 | 5.8 | 8.1 | 30.8 |
| Larry Hughes | 9 | 8 | 37.3 | 31.9% | 74.2% | 27.8% | 2.20 | .11 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 11.1 |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 13 | 13 | 27.2 | 45.4% | 75.0% | 0.0% | .38 | 2.08 | .8 | 6.3 | 10.4 |
| Donyell Marshall | 13 | 0 | 26.5 | 43.3% | 88.2% | 39.1% | .54 | .69 | .6 | 5.6 | 9.5 |
| Drew Gooden | 13 | 13 | 21.7 | 52.9% | 94.4% | 0.0% | .23 | .15 | .6 | 7.5 | 8.2 |
| Flip Murray | 13 | 5 | 30.7 | 33.0% | 81.3% | 20.8% | .69 | .15 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 8.1 |
| Anderson Varejão | 13 | 0 | 18.3 | 62.0% | 70.3% | 0.0% | .69 | .15 | .2 | 4.5 | 6.8 |
| Eric Snow | 13 | 13 | 31.4 | 42.0% | 75.9% | 0.0% | .85 | .23 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 6.6 |
| Damon Jones | 13 | 0 | 13.9 | 30.8% | 75.0% | 27.8% | .15 | .00 | .9 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Ira Newble | 5 | 0 | 2.2 | 1.000% | 0.0% | 1.000% | .20 | .00 | .0 | .4 | 1.4 |
| Alan Henderson | 2 | 0 | 4.5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | .00 | .00 | .0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Sasha Pavlović | 3 | 0 | 1.3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | .00 | .00 | .0 | .3 | 0.0 |

## Playoffs

2006 marked the first time LeBron James made the playoffs in his career, and the first time the Cavaliers had made the playoffs since 1998 with Shawn Kemp. They came off a playoff series win vs the Wizards, while the Pistons came in off a 4–1 win vs the 8th seeded Bucks. Detroit was expected to win the series, and took a commanding two games to none lead with two wins at the Palace of Auburn Hills. James and the Cavaliers would not be intimidated however, and won their two games at home to tie the series 2–2. Coming into game 5, both teams were confident, but the Pistons were expected to pull out the win easily. The game was low scoring throughout as usual in this series, with Cleveland holding a 68 to 66 lead throughout 3 quarters. With the game tied at 84 with 26 seconds left in regulation, Drew Gooden came through and hit a layup to give Cleveland the lead that they would never squander. James led the Cavs with 32 and this brought the series to Cleveland up 3–2, quite shockingly. Detroit held on to a 2-point win to win game 6, and won game 7 at home to seal the deal, but this was the coming out party for the Cavaliers in the playoffs, scaring the 2004 champs.
2006 playoff game log :
First Round: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1April 22WashingtonW 97–86LeBron James (32)LeBron James (11)LeBron James (11)Gund Arena 20,5621–0
2April 25WashingtonL 84–89LeBron James (26)Drew Gooden (16)Eric Snow (4)Gund Arena 20,5621–1
3April 28@ WashingtonW 97–96LeBron James (41)Ilgauskas, Gooden (8)James, Snow (3)MCI Center 20,1732–1
4April 30@ WashingtonL 96–106LeBron James (45)Drew Gooden (11)LeBron James (6)MCI Center 20,1732–2
5May 3WashingtonW 121–120 (OT)LeBron James (38)Donyell Marshall (11)LeBron James (5)Gund Arena 20,5623–2
6May 5@ WashingtonW 114–113 (OT)LeBron James (32)Anderson Varejão (10)Larry Hughes (12)MCI Center 20,1734–2 :
Conference Semifinals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1May 7@ DetroitL 86–113LeBron James (22)Anderson Varejão (8)James, Murray (4)The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,0760–1
2May 9@ DetroitL 91–97LeBron James (30)LeBron James (14)LeBron James (7)The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,0760–2
3May 13DetroitW 86–77LeBron James (21)LeBron James (10)LeBron James (10)Gund Arena 20,5621–2
4May 15DetroitW 74–72LeBron James (22)LeBron James (8)LeBron James (9)Gund Arena 20,5622–2
5May 17@ DetroitW 86–84LeBron James (32)Donyell Marshall (13)Eric Snow (7)The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,0763–2
6May 19DetroitL 82–84LeBron James (32)LeBron James (11)Eric Snow (6)Gund Arena 20,5623–3
7May 21@ DetroitL 61–79LeBron James (27)LeBron James (8)Larry Hughes (5)The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,0763–4 :
2005–06 schedule :

## Awards and records
### Awards

* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from November 14 through November 20.
* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from January 24 through January 30.
* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 14 through March 20.
* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 21 through March 27.
* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 27 through April 2. He became the first player in NBA history to win the award three consecutive weeks.
* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the month of November, the third time he has won the award.
* LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the month of March, the fourth time he has won the award.
* LeBron James was named to the All-NBA first team. James is the youngest first-teamer in NBA history and only the second Cavalier (Mark Price) to receive the honors.
* LeBron James finished in 2nd place in league MVP voting (Steve Nash).

### Records

* On November 19, vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, Larry Hughes (37) and LeBron James (36) became the first two teammates in franchise history to score 35 points or more in the same game.
* LeBron James set the franchise single-season record for points with 2,478.
* LeBron James set other franchise records for: scoring average (31.4), field goals made (875), field goals attempted (1873), free throws made (601), and free throws attempted (841).
* LeBron James set the franchise record for points in a single postseason with 400.
* In Game 6 of the Washington Wizards First Round series, the team set a franchise record for bench points with 57.
* LeBron James set the franchise record for points in a single postseason series with 214.
* Mike Brown became the first coach in franchise history to win a playoff series in his first year.
* For the season, LeBron James led the team in scoring for a game 72 times, a franchise record.
* The Cavaliers finished the season 5–0 in overtime games, a franchise record for wins and %.

### Milestones

* On November 13, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 4,000 career points (20 years, 318 days).
* On January 21, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 5,000 career points (21 years, 22 days).
* On March 29, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 6,000 career points (21 years, 89 days).
* On April 13, Mike Brown won his 48th game as head coach, the most by a rookie coach in franchise history.
* For the season, LeBron James made 19/29 field goals attempts in the last two minutes of a one-possession game. He led the league in that statistic.

### All-Star

* LeBron James came in third in Eastern Conference votes received and was voted in as a starter for the 2006 NBA All-Star Game for the 2nd time in his career. He became the first Cavalier in team history to start multiple All-Star games and the 7th to play in multiple games.
* LeBron James became the youngest All-Star Game MVP in NBA history with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the East's 122–120 win.
* LeBron James participated in the Skills Challenge and finished in 2nd place.
* LeBron James led his team in points, rebounds and assists in a game 16 times, a league-high.

## Transactions
### Trades

| February 23, 2006 | To Cleveland Cavaliers Flip Murray | To Seattle SuperSonics Mike Wilks and cash considerations |
| February 23, 2006 | To Cleveland Cavaliers Lee Nailon and a 2nd round pick | To Philadelphia 76ers 2nd round pick |

### Free agents

Additions :
| Player | Date | Former team |
| Zendon Hamilton$^*$ | January 10 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Stephen Graham$^{**}$ | February 24 | Chicago Bulls |
Subtractions :
| Player | Date | New team |
| Zendon Hamilton$^*$ | January 5 | Free agent |
| Zendon Hamilton$^*$ | January 30 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Lee Nailon$^{***}$ | February 24 | Philadelphia 76ers |
$^*$Waived by team mid-season and later re-signed to two 10-day contracts. $^{**}$Signed to two successive 10-day contracts and then the remainder of the season. $^{***}$Traded for and then immediately waived before playing in a game.

### Development League

* On January 22, Martynas Andriuskevicius was assigned to the NBDL's Arkansas Rimrockers.
* On February 1, Martynas Andriuskevicius was recalled from the Rimrockers.
* On March 2, Martynas Andriuskevicius was reassigned to the Rimrockers.
* On March 6, Martynas Andriuskevicius was recalled from the Rimrockers.
* On March 16, Martynas Andriuskevicius was reassigned to the Rimrockers.
* On April 12, Martynas Andriuskevicius was recalled from the Rimrockers.