LeBron James struggled at the worst possible moment in the Lakers’ 104-101 loss to the Mavericks, and fans didn’t flinch.
LeBron James was already on pace to lead the Los Angeles Lakers back from a 20-point deficit against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. James scored 16 of his 26 points in the final frame, and in fact, it was he who gave the Lakers a two-point lead with just over a minute left in the game. But when it mattered most, James couldn’t deliver.
The Mavericks regained the lead on Kyrie Irving’s 3-pointer with 21 seconds left, and the Lakers refused to call a timeout because they were confident in their scoring chances against Dallas. James and Austin Reeves ran a pick-and-roll, which gave the Kings a favorable paint matchup. However, instead of forcing his way to the basket, James decided to throw an errant pass to tight-knit Anthony Davis, resulting in a Mavericks steal.
“LeBron James, you are so stupid. Like why would you try to throw a high ball to AD when you know AD is double-teamed,” one fan complain.
The game wasn’t won at that point; Irving may have made both free throws to extend the Mavericks’ lead to three, but the Lakers still had timeouts to advance the ball and get a good look at the buzzer beater. Everyone in the building knew the ball was going to LeBron James, and that’s exactly where it went, with James curling up for a semi-open three-pointer toward the corner. However, that shot went off the right side of the rim, essentially wiping out all of the Lakers’ aggressive comeback efforts in a 104-101 loss.
James has become an easy target for hate (much of it unjustified), but fans No flinching at all The Kings failed at the worst possible moment, unable to complete his masterful fourth quarter.
“Told you and LeBron James were sold after the masterclass he attended 😔💔,” one fan wrote. Another wrote, “Losing to LeBron James is easy, a player with his IQ and experience just turns it around in the end? And then shoots a bad 3-pointer? That’s definitely his thing.” Michael Jordan Forever Won’t. “
LeBron James in the final minute of the fourth quarter of a basketball game: pic.twitter.com/4vvhGCyIOz
— Global Echo News (@GlobeEchoNews) November 23, 2023
Fans were already not happy with LeBron James’ decision-making in clutch situations, especially when he gave up the game-winning shot from Cam Reddish on a wide-open corner three. James said passionately that he just made the right play, but he clearly didn’t when he forced a pass to Anthony Davis.
LeBron James ‘I always make the right play’
pic.twitter.com/RmQFPyq0Xi— Sinai (@SinaiNot) November 23, 2023
LeBron James is the best passer in the league!
And LeBron James, passing the ball to AD, surrounded by double teams! 😭
(Credit @Beastbr00k0 )
pic.twitter.com/HjKRRlRMQ3— Opinionated Fan (@OpinionatedSF19) November 23, 2023
LeBron James will have a chance to redeem himself when the Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road on Saturday.