LeBron James tallied 11 points on Wednesday evening as his team, the Lakers, fell 129-99 to the Cavaliers. This contest might mark his last appearance in Cleveland, a city where the Akron-born athlete played for a combined 11 seasons over two periods during his illustrious career.
The Cavaliers, holding a 29-20 record, are reportedly open to James returning for a third tenure next season, provided the 41-year-old chooses to continue his professional basketball career. He is presently in the final year of his contract during his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, with this being his eighth consecutive year representing the Lakers (28-18).
The evening commenced with an ovation as James was announced as the final starter for the Lakers’ initial lineup, followed by the 21-time All-Star’s signature chalk toss right before the game began. The Cavaliers also recognized James with a video presentation during the match.
Cleveland, conspicuously missing their reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, found their momentum through the perimeter shooting of Jaylon Tyson, the interior presence of Jarrett Allen, and the comprehensive performance of Donovan Mitchell. These three players contributed 20, 17, and 25 points in that order.
Regarding James, he quickly registered points. The Lakers typically averaged 14.3 fast-break points per contest, but they managed eight such points in the opening quarter.
Having recently delivered his second performance of the season featuring at least 45 points and 12 assists, Luka Dončić established a fast pace, providing James with successive forward passes that led to consecutive scores.
However, just over four minutes into the match, Dončić experienced a concerning moment regarding an injury. As he observed his 3-point shot sail and then rebound off the hoop, he moved backward on his left foot.
Dončić retreated excessively, stepping off the raised playing surface of Rocket Arena, where the five-time All-NBA first-team selection subsequently remained seated, appearing uneasy, while the game carried on. He was attended to by medical staff during the subsequent Lakers’ timeout before walking with a limp towards the changing room.
Dončić re-entered the game with 1:32 remaining in the period and successfully converted two free throws, contributing to L.A.’s 28-24 advantage heading into the second quarter. He concluded his performance with 29 points and six assists, hitting 12 out of 20 shots from the field in only three quarters, as he sat out the final quarter.
Allen achieved his season average figures by halftime, recording 13 points and eight rebounds. A pair of those points originated from an alley-oop slam provided by Tyson, who had already landed three successful 3-point shots by the break.
Cleveland commenced the third quarter by making 7 out of 8 attempts from the field, extending their advantage to 76-63. Tyson delivered an overhead pass to Allen, who then completed the play with a left-handed layup near the basket. Mitchell drained consecutive 3-pointers, then remained suspended mid-air to send a bounce pass to Dean Wade, setting up the first of Wade’s two treys early in the quarter.
Tyson showcased his versatile skills to a nationwide viewership during the latter half of the game. In addition to his perimeter shooting, he drove aggressively towards the basket. Building on an earlier “and-1” floater in the third quarter, he maneuvered along the baseline and executed a one-handed dunk.
In the end, following three consecutive 3-pointers from De’Andre Hunter, the Cavaliers concluded the third quarter having surpassed the Lakers in scoring by a margin of 42-22.
Cleveland effortlessly secured the win in the final period, a period during which James seemed to twist his left ankle upon landing on Lonzo Ball’s foot after attempting a shot from the field.
James stayed on the court but exerted minimal influence. At the 8:23 mark, with L.A. down by 28 points, Bronny James entered the game. He emphatically finished a one-handed dunk after a steal late in the dominant victory and subsequently added two 3-point shots, accumulating eight points.
Prior to this game, LeBron James held a 9-3 record when playing as an opposing team member in Cleveland. Across his 24 previous matchups facing the Cavaliers, his averages stood at 28.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.
He didn’t deliver his top performance during this return to his former home, yet he experienced a full range of sentiments and displayed a grin as his son executed a spectacular dunk during a fast break, met with an appreciative audience in the very venue where the four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion began crafting his legendary career.
