Emotional LeBron 'can't even enjoy' Lakers' win over Blazers
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — LeBron James took note when the Los Angeles Lak ers built an early 24-8 lead over the Trail Blazers on Kobe Bryant Day.
“OK, he’s here in the he said. building,” James said he James spoke at length thought in the moment, about the shooting, when the two numbers which has sparked violent that Bryant wore during protests. Blake, who his career appeared on remained hospitalized on the scoreboard. Monday, was shot, apparently
The Los Angeles Lakers in the back, as dominated Portland he leaned into his SUV the rest of the way Monday while his three children night, winning 135115 sat in the vehicle. to take a 3-1 advantage “We are scared as in their playoff series. Black people in America,” James said.
James had 30 points “Black men, Black and 10 assists in 28 minutes women, Black kids. We before heading to are, we are terrified.” the bench late in the The Trail Blazers third quarter. The Lakers won the opener but led by as many as 38 have appeared gassed points for their third in the past two games. straight win in the opening-round Damian Lillard, the series, the MVP of the seeding team’s first playoff appearance games in the NBA since 2013. bubble, had 11 points
After the game, James before leaving with a detailed the emotional right knee injury in the burden of both honoring third. Jusuf Nurkic had Bryant and coping with 20 points and 13 rebounds. the shooting of Jacob
Blake, a Black man, by Anthony Davis police officers in added 18 points in 18 Kenosha, Wisconsin. minutes for the Lakers
“I can’t even enjoy a before leaving the playoff win right now, game midway through which is the sad part,” the third with back sp asm s.
The Lakers, the top seed in the Western Conference, can close out the series on Wednesday.
After the game, Blazers coach Terry Stotts was asked to describe his team’s position. “Not good,” he said. “You’re down 1-3, it’s a tough position against a good team,” Stotts added. “We’ll regroup, it’s one game at a time. You can break out all the cliches, but we know what we’re up against when you’re down to a good team 3-1, so we’ve got to battle.”
It was considered “Kobe Day” because Monday was 8/ 24, the two numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year car eer.
Los Angeles wore “Black Mamba” jerseys with a heart-shaped No. 2 patch to honor Bryant’s daughter, Gi anna.
Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash with his daughter in January, would have celebrated his 42nd birthday on Sunday.
“To be able to continue his legacy is something that hits home for me, and it’s easy for me because I put in the work,” James said. “And if you want to see results you got to work at it. It’s not about the wins and l osses.”
Inspired by Bryant, the Lakers’ 24-8 lead seemed fortuitous, and they went on to outscore the Blazers 43-25 in the first quarter.
The Lakers led 80-51 at the half. It was the most points in a half for Los Angeles in a playoff game since 1987.
James nailed 3pointer from some 36 feet out and then demonstratively nodded as the Lakers took an 8053 lead.
Lillard dislocated his left index finger in Game 2 and backcourt mate CJ McCollum has been playing with a fractured vertebra in his lower back.
Stotts said following the game that he did not have an update on Lillard’s status. He was undergoing an MRI.
---AP