LeBron James has been eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the first round. In his 14 previous appearances, that had never happened. Until now.
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It is the first time ever that LeBron James has been eliminated from the first round of the NBA playoffs. In his 14 previous postseason appearances, that has never happened. The Phoenix Suns are moving on to the next semi-finals after a 113-100 Game 6 victory over the LA Lakers on Thursday.
Devin Booker has a tattoo on his forearm of the message that Kobe Bryant wrote for him on a pair of shoes after they faced each other at Staples Center six years ago: “Be legendary.”
#BeLegendary ?? pic.twitter.com/YHLphdx2W8
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 4, 2021
Booker scored 22 of his 47 points in a phenomenal first quarter, and the Suns won their first playoff series since 2010, eliminating the defending NBA champion.
After hitting eight 3-pointers, grabbing 11 rebounds and going a stunning 15 for 22 from the field, Booker cast his eyes up at Bryant’s two retired numbers as he left the floor amid the cheers from a small, vocal away section.
“SEE THE SHOTS THAT I TOOK” ?
Finish it in the comments section Suns fans! pic.twitter.com/OUHlqWPmcC
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 4, 2021
“Honestly, I was thinking about Kobe and the conversations we had,” Booker said. “About what we went through, and the postseason, and being legendary and taking the steps to get there. Seeing that 8 and 24 up there, with the lighting Staples has, it’s like it was shining down on you. I know he was here tonight, and I know he was proud.”
LeBron finished the series averaging 23.3 points, his fourth lowest scoring output for a series over his career and his lowest mark since averaging 22.8 in the 2014 Eastern Conference finals.
LeBron wasn’t 100 percent. Anthony Davis couldn’t even finish the series. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed time. The Suns were hurt, too. Chris Paul played with one arm. Phoenix won. Had the Lakers been healthy, the result would’ve probably been much different.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 4, 2021
James is still more than capable of leading a team to a championship, and Davis is still capable of being the best player in the world on any given night when he’s healthy.
Before LeBron’s injury, he was playing at an MVP level on both ends of the floor. The Lakers looked very much like title contenders, if not the favourite.
Stay with the fight.
(?: @SpectrumSN & TNT) pic.twitter.com/u4EwsOO9dm
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 4, 2021
Anthony Davis did everything in his power to try to save the Lakers’ season on Thursday. Despite suffering a hyperextended knee in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Suns and a strained groin in Game 4, he suited up for Game 6 in a doomed attempt to preserve his team’s title defence.
It ended badly. Davis left the game after only five minutes on the floor. He did not suffer new injury, but he fell to the floor in serious pain in the first quarter and was simply unable to continue.
