LeBron James hints at Lakers exit after playoff defeat to the Nuggets
- The Lakers were dumped out of the NBA playoffs by the Nuggets on Monday
- LeBron threw his LA future into doubt with a coy response after the defeat
LeBron James’s future with the Lakers is now in doubt as a result of his refusal to say whether or not he played his final game for the team following their NBA Playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 108-106 in the final seconds on Monday night, condemning them to a 4-1 series loss and putting an end to their dreams of making the playoffs for another year.
After his 30-point comeback was insufficient to push Los Angeles past the halfway point, LeBron declined to respond to a question regarding his future with the organisation, indicating he needs some time to reflect.
‘Umm, I’m not going answer that,’ the 39-year-old said after pausing to consider the possibility that Monday’s game may be his final one with the Lakers.
After the 19-year-old just announced he is entering the NBA Draft and the transfer portal, LeBron might get the opportunity to play with his son, Bronny, if he continues his career the next season.
But following four consecutive losing postseason seasons in Los Angeles, the greatest basketball player of all time may want to improve his chances of winning a fifth NBA Championship ring with a different team the following season.
When asked if he had thought about his next move, James replied, “Honestly, I just want to get home to the family and start looking at the schedule.” Naturally, I have a boy who is thinking about signing a professional baseball deal versus going back to school, another child who plays UBall, a daughter who plays volleyball, and an amazing
‘So it’s about family right now and then in a couple of months I’ve gotta go to Vegas for training camp.’LeBron has spent the last six seasons with the Lakers, winning the NBA Championship in 2020.
Prior to his stint in LA, the legendary forward rose to fame with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, winning two rings with the latter and one with the former.
LeBron scored thirty points in a futile attempt to salvage a victory for the Lakers, who were down 3-1 in the opening round series, knowing that a victory was necessary to maintain their chances of making the playoffs in Denver. However, in the end, his efforts were in vain as Jamal Murray’s 32-point comeback—which included a huge two-pointer at the very end of the game—was sufficient to win Game 5 and secure the Nuggets’ spot in the Conference Semifinals.
After the team’s first-round exit, Los Angeles head coach Darvin Ham—who has faced a lot of criticism in the 2024 campaign—also made a suggestion that his tenure as coach might be coming to an end. After the game, Ham remarked, “I’ll tell you what, it’s been a hell of a two years sitting in this seat.” “The past two years have been the worst.”
Despite having a strained calf, Murray scored 32 points, including the game-winning three-pointer in the last 3.6 seconds. With 26 seconds remaining, Murray’s two free throws levelled the score at 106. The Nuggets, like they did in Game 2, decided not to call a timeout and Murray grabbed the ball on a high screen, rolling to his left, shakily catching Austin Reaves as he crossed the lane and swished the 14-footer.
Game 2 was won by Murray’s buzzer beater. As confetti whirled around him and his comrades in celebration, he remarked, “This one was a little better.”