LeBron James was a late scratch from Monday’s showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs due to what was described as “significant” soreness in his left knee.
Surely enough, without James to guide the charge, LA’s starting lineup of Austin Reaves, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook proved inept at getting anything done.
In the end, San Antonio ended up emerging with a 117-110 victory.
Because the game in itself between two middling Western Conference afterthoughts was largely uneventful, the main viral story coming out of this outing proved to be James’ courtside behavior.
LeBron at Lakers-Spurs game. 🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/EzY0WqIKGn
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) March 8, 2022
Fans reacted immediately:
This man gives zero fucks https://t.co/lv7lXLfPmw
— KING BUCKETZ (@imanebrahim) March 8, 2022
This kinda looks like Russ https://t.co/3GsahPfvQt pic.twitter.com/oA7UUjtyMd
— Sebouh Majarian (@SebouhMajarian) March 8, 2022
What a vibe https://t.co/EBsRLU4eul
— Kendyl Bennett (@kendylbennett16) March 8, 2022
This is gonna be me if Biden makes me go back into office for work https://t.co/SU9ZRzRCY9
— evan (@PanthersEvan) March 8, 2022
LeBron last night pic.twitter.com/TsU3CTjjNZ
— Hooper (@J_NoteDNA) March 8, 2022
Big picture, the Lakers are now 28-36 on the year and closer to 12th place in the Western Conference than 8th. Any pipe dreams of a late-season run towards the playoffs are officially done. This team is dead as can be.
Between coaches feuding with players and player wives beefing with sports personalities, things are about as bad as they have been in the last decade for the Lakers.
James Harden is already teaching his young teammates the important stuff. https://t.co/1ojkF4twl9
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 8, 2022
Is there any way for this group to recover some semblance of dignity and respectability before season’s end?
It doesn’t look like it.
Related: Calvin Ridley Cryptic Tweet Amidst Gambling Bust Goes Viral
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
