LeBron James seemed to be in peace by losing against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA qualifiers after having shocked five games.
After their successful acquisition of Luka Dončić in February, the Lakers entered the playoffs with high expectations. Unfortunately, their title hopes crashed in the first round after meeting Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.
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Speaking of “Watch out for the game“Podcast with co-host Steve Nash, the Lakers star insisted that early elimination came to be equaled to a better team.
“These are the matches, and we met a hell of a good confrontation,” said James. “A team that has been tested in combat. A team that is hungry. A team that has (a) many young people, but who also live at the same time.
“Another team trying to do the next step,” he added. “And they were a worthy opponent.”
James also opened on a knee injury he suffered In the closing match of the series, noting that he would probably have missed the rest of the games if they had avoided elimination.
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An MRI of May 1 revealed that the quadruple NBA champion had suffered a sprain from the medial collateral ligament of grade 2 in his left knee during the fourth quarter of match 5 while they were hanging out, 84-82.
“I knew that as soon as the impact occurred with me and (Donte) Divincenzo, I felt it right away,” said James. “My knee locked up, and that is why I stayed on the ground for a minute to see if the knee will come out a little. But I knew right away and there was pain that I had not felt before.
“Four to six weeks, the documents told me,” he continued. “I have four (at) six weeks now. This is the advantage of not doing in the playoffs. I want me to have it again.
The Timberwolves won match 5, 103-96, to advance and face the Golden State Warriors in the semi-finals of the Western Conference, where they follow, 0-1.
James finished his 22nd season in the NBA with an impressive 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game while firing 51.3% on the field. While retirement talks surrounded the end of his campaign, James would have Not opposed to leaving the Lakers Next season to compete for another championship.
