Basketball Lakers fail in NBA playoffs – James’ future uncertain
NBA superstar LeBron James failed in the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers. photo
© David Zalubowski/AP/dpa
The Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA record champions, the Denver Nuggets are the defending champions. Like in 2023, LeBron James’ season ends in this duel. The superstar’s future is open.
After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs, basketball superstar LeBron James left his future in the best league in the world open. The team from California was defeated by defending champion Denver Nuggets; The 106:108 meant the decisive fourth defeat in the best-of-seven series.
“Honestly, I just want to go home to my family,” said 39-year-old James in response to a reporter’s question about his future. The best point collector in NBA history announced that he wanted to rest first and foremost before he started preparing for the Olympics with the US team in the summer. The veteran left it open shortly after the away defeat. However, he reminded, among other things, that his son was considering registering for the NBA draft – the annual talent selection. James dreams of one day being on the dance floor with his son Bronny (19).
James can decide by the end of June whether he will extend his contract with the Lakers for one season and receive more than 51 million dollars (a good 48 million euros) in return. But he can also be signed by another team – theoretically, for example, the one in which his son plays, should he be selected by an NBA club at all. James did not initially explicitly rule out the end of his career after 21 seasons. But experts are more likely to assume that the four-time NBA champion will continue.
Lakers are losing their lead again
His plan to become champions again with the Lakers after 2020 clearly failed. LA lost 1:4 in the series against the Nuggets around superstar Nikola Jokic. Last year both teams faced each other in the Western Conference finals. The Nuggets won the series 4-0 and won the title in the final against the Miami Heat.
This year, the Lakers lost a lead of 20 points once and 12 points twice. In Game Five, the Lakers were up nine points midway through the third quarter and then lost control. Nuggets professional Jamal Murray completed the victory with the last goal and scored a total of 32 points. Jokic scored 25 points. Lakers ace James recorded 30 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.
Oklahoma continues
The Oklahoma City Thunder had previously won their fourth game against the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 97:89 and secured their place in the next round. In the series between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, the favored Celtics took their third win (102:88) and only need one more win to advance.
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