Lakers superstar LeBron James could not camouflage his reactions as he asks to be subbed out after watching Kyle Kuzma’s antics
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The Los Angeles Lakers are out of the NBA Playoffs. They became the 5th ever Champions in NBA History to get knocked out in the first round the following year. The last defending champions to get knocked out in the first round were the 2015 San Antonio Spurs. The loss also marks the first time in LeBron James’ career where he lost a first-round playoff series. Prior to tonight, LBJ was 14-0 in the first round.
LeBron James has been eliminated in the first round for the first time in his 15-year playoff career. pic.twitter.com/FOJ642gBPX
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 4, 2021
Devin Booker showed up with an agenda. The Suns started the game red hot, making 10 3s in the first quarter alone. Out of those 10, Booker had made 6 of them. Booker finished the game with a season and playoff-high 47 points and 11 rebounds while making a career-high 8 3 pointers.
LeBron James wanted out from the Game after watching Kyle Kuzma
After Anthony Davis left the game, the Lakers were basically dominated by the Phoenix Suns for the rest of the first half. The Lakers tried to attempt a comeback in the second half, but CP3 put them on ice. The Lakers cut a 29 point lead to 12 with 7:38 left in the 4th quarter. Kyle Kuzma had the ball, and he attempted to put up a shot. As he drove to the basket, he stopped near the charity stripe and threw up a circus shot.
At that point, LeBron James was seen asking the coach to sub him out.
LeBron asking to sub out down 12 midway through the 4th in an elimination game…
https://t.co/LL7Yee4Chx— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 4, 2021
LeBron James ended the game with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Lakers’ loss could be blamed on their injuries, but also on their reliance on their stars. The former defending champions have a lot of things to think through in the off-season. One thing is for sure. We can expect a different Lakers’ roster to show up in the 2021-22 season.