During the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James went down with a left knee MCL sprain after colliding with Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo. During his latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast with Steve Nash, James explained that he wouldn’t have been able to continue had the series been longer.
“I knew as soon as the impact happened with me and DiVincenzo, I felt it right away… I knew right then and there it was a pain that I hadn’t felt before,” James said. “Obviously I wish I was still going, but unfortunately even if we had won Game 5 at home, I would’ve probably missed (Games) 6 and 7 and even further.”
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As he said, this is James’ first major knee injury of his legendary career, though he’s battled through various ankle and groin injuries with differing degrees of severity.
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James has achieved as much as any player in league history and then some. This season was no exception as he became the first player ever to play alongside his son, a feat he personally ranked at the top of his accomplishments.
He put up 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game on an efficient 51.3% field goal percentage. No player in NBA history has even come close to maintaining this level of greatness for this long.
James and the Lakers were scrutinized for their first round loss. But the fact that we still hold James to the same standards we did ten years ago, is evidence that he just might be the greatest player of all time.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
