LeBron James scored only 11 points in a 129-99 loss to the Cavaliers, and in what could have been his final game in Cleveland, where the Akron native spent a total of 11 seasons across two stints earlier in his legendary career.
The Cavaliers (29-20) reportedly would welcome James back for a third go-around next season, that is, if the 41-year-old wants to keep playing. He’s currently in a contract year while in his record-setting 23rd NBA season, including his eighth straight for the Lakers (28-18).
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The night began with a chorus of cheers when James was introduced as the final player in the Lakers’ starting five and then featured a chalk toss from the 21-time All-Star just before tip-off. The Cavs also honored James with a tribute video mid-game.
The Cavaliers, notably playing without reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, rode the jump shooting of Jaylon Tyson, the paint work of Jarrett Allen and the all-around effort of Donovan Mitchell. Those three scored 20, 17 and 25 points, respectively.
As for James, it didn’t take long for him to get on the board. The Lakers came in averaging 14.3 fastbreak points per game but scored eight of those in the first quarter.
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Coming off his second game with at least 45 points and 12 assists this season, Luka DonÄiÄ set the tone in transition, finding James with throw-ahead passes for back-to-back buckets.
But then, a bit more than four minutes into the game, DonÄiÄ had an injury scare. While watching his 3-point attempt fly through the air and then bounce off the rim, he scooted back on one foot, his left one.
DonÄiÄ went too far, dropping off the edge of Rocket Arena’s elevated court, where the five-time All-NBA first teamer then sat in discomfort as play continued. He received medical attention during the following Lakers timeout prior to limping to the locker room.
DonÄiÄ checked back in with 1:32 left in the frame and made a pair of free throws to help L.A. take a 28-24 lead into the second quarter. He finished with 29 points and six assists while shooting 12 of 20 from the field in just three quarters of action, as he rested in the fourth.
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Allen matched his season averages with 13 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Two of those points came on an alley-oop dunk served by Tyson, who already had three 3s by intermission.
Cleveland kicked off the third quarter 7 of 8 from the field, stretching its lead to 76-63. Tyson dished a behind-the-head pass to Allen, who finished at the cup with a left-handed layup. Mitchell hit back-to-back 3s, then hung in the air to deliver a bounce pass to Dean Wade for the first of his two triples early in the frame.
Tyson gave a national audience a look inside his bag during the second half. To complement his outside shooting, he attacked the rim. Following up on an and-1 floater earlier in the third quarter, he drove baseline and dropped in a one-handed dunk.
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Ultimately, after a trio of De’Andre Hunter 3s, the Cavaliers closed the third quarter having outscored the Lakers 42-22.
Cleveland cruised to victory in the fourth, during which James appeared to roll his left ankle while landing on the foot of Lonzo Ball on his way down from a field-goal attempt.
James remained in the game but never took it over. With 8:23 to go and L.A. trailing by 28 points, Bronny James took the court. He slammed home a one-handed jam off a steal late in the blowout and then added two 3-pointers soon after.
LeBron James was previously 9-3 as a visitor in Cleveland. And in his 24 prior games against the Cavaliers, he had averaged 28.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
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He didn’t have his best stuff in his homecoming, but he felt all the emotions and cracked a smile when his son threw down a highlight-reel dunk on the break to the tune of cheers in an arena he started building his NBA legacy.
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