LeBron James was mercilessly roasted on social media over a blatant flop during his team’s Saturday night 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Before James left the game in the fourth quarter with what ESPN reported was a groin injury, he desperately tried to draw a foul against Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
In the second minute of the final period, James tried to defend the 27-year-old with no success and, during what appeared to be moderate-at-best contact to his midsection, grabbed his chin and took a dive. Few people bought what he was trying to sell.
Tatum went around the 41-year-old for an easy bucket, while James went viral for perhaps one of the more cringe-inducing flops in a career full of them.
NBA fans and casual observers roasted the Lakers star:
Cannot stand what he has brought to the game.
— Joseph Simpson (@Joke_no_k) March 9, 2025
They shouldn’t ever be in the same conversation let alone in the same sentence
— Mark Sullivan (@Sullie870125) March 9, 2025
That’s actually sad man. When OGs are flopping like that. Game is cooked man
— Vic (@VicCruzLive) March 9, 2025
A man can pull a groin flopping like that…
— Jake Donnelly (@RedWhiteBlueJew) March 9, 2025
Shameful basketball. What a legacy.
— Craw Long (@diprivangelist) March 9, 2025
For all the times I've watched Michael Jordan, I don't ever recall him flopping…….
— Todd Krieger (@ToddKrieger1) March 9, 2025
ESPN reported James could be out for weeks after later sustaining a groin injury:
Lakers star LeBron James exited with 6:44 remaining in the fourth quarter with what the team is calling a left groin strain and did not return.
James downplayed the injury, saying there was “not much concern” and vowing to “go day to day” in treating it.
Until he undergoes medical imaging, it is too early to project an accurate timetable for how long James could be out, sources told ESPN. However, one source said the initial thought is that the injury will sideline James for weeks, not days.
Saturday’s loss ended an eight-game win streak for James and the Lakers.