LeBron James records DREADFUL playoff stat for the first time in NBA career
Lakers star LeBron James took zero field goal attempts in the first quarter of Game 3 against the Warriors, a first in his playoff career.
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LeBron James (Via Getty Images)
LeBron James has done it all in the NBA. He has won championships, MVPs, and broken records. But he did something he has never done before in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors: Lakers superstar went scoreless in the first quarter.
The Lakers star did not attempt a single shot in the opening period of Game 3, which is unheard of for a player of his caliber and stature. A game start with no shots to the basket for LeBron James in a crucial matchup against Warriors, is surely a concerning sight for many. James, who put up 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in the regular season, is usually a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
The King has carried his teams to 10 NBA Finals appearances and four rings, earning four Finals MVP honors in the process. He is also the all-time leader in playoff points. The Lakers need James to bounce back in a big way today, as they host the Warriors in a crucial Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena. The four-time MVP is expected to display more urgency and leadership on both sides of the ball.
The Lakers also need more from Anthony Davis, who had only 11 points and six rebounds in Game 2. Davis was dominant in Game 1 with 33 points and 11 rebounds, but he was outplayed by Green and Andrew Wiggins in Game 2. The urgency seems real for the big man to step up, and be more aggressive and efficient in the paint and on the perimeter.
How the Warriors shut down LeBron James and tied the series with the Lakers
LeBron James ended up with 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting in Game 2 of the series, but he was largely invisible and ineffective in the opening period, as the Warriors jumped to a 35-22 lead. The Lakers never recovered from the early hole and got blown out 127-100, evening the series at 1-1.
The Warriors, on the other hand, were on fire. Klay Thompson had 16 points in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Stephen Curry added 20 points and 12 assists, while Draymond Green missed a triple-double by just one assist with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
The Warriors are still the defending champions but the Lakers have a home-court advantage in Game 3. They possess the talent and depth to beat the Warriors, but that calls for more intensity and aggressiveness on both ends of the court. The team cannot afford to let James have a first-quarter stat line that he’ll want to forget.
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Ankush Singh
(616 Articles Published)