The Oklahoma City Thunder closed out Game 4 of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers to complete a 4-0 sweep. The Lakers not only saw their season come to an end, but the result may as well mean that LeBron James ends up hanging his boots after a record-setting 23rd season in the NBA.
And well, James missing a key layup with 20 seconds remaining in the game means that he has now gone 0-11 in game-tying/go-ahead FG in closeout, elimination, or NBA Finals games, per a post by NBA Stat. The record may as well have Skip Bayless delighted, with the NBA insider only recently putting James 9th on his all-time list. Bayless had also previously claimed that James was born without a ‘clutch gene’ per MSN, something the record also appears to point to.
“The eight players above LeBron James on my list are all cold-blooded basketball killers that I would trust with games for my life. And LeBron James has proven over many years to be the most mentally fragile superstar,” he said.
“I mean the poor man, as gifted as he is, was born without a clutch gene. So he’s lucky to be in the top 10 because he’s a liability and always has been at the late game free throw line.”
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James missed a driving floater with 20.3 seconds remaining and committed a crucial late turnover that led directly to a Thunder 3-pointer during the closing stretch. Still, even at 41 years old, James was the Lakers’ primary engine throughout the playoffs.
He averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds over 10 postseason games, helping his team stay competitive despite the absence of Luka Doncic and initially Austin Reaves. Despite the late misses, James still produced statistically in the fourth quarter.
He scored seven points in the final period and continued to attack the rim aggressively as the Lakers attempted to erase another deficit against Oklahoma City. Regardless, LeBron could not do enough to force a Game 5, and all eyes will be on him as he decides on his immediate future.
The Oklahoma City Thunder closed out Game 4 of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers to complete a 4-0 sweep. The Lakers not only saw their season come to an end, but the result may as well mean that LeBron James ends up hanging his boots after a record-setting 23rd season in the NBA.