Shutterstock
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept by the Golden State Warriors on Friday night to bring an end to the 2018 NBA Finals and allow Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and company to once again celebrate their second consecutive NBA title and third Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in four years.
While many are wondering what the second straight NBA Finals loss means for LeBron’s future in Cleveland, there has been another revelation following the conclusion of the championship series.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, LeBron has been suffering from a “significant” self-inflicted hand injury since the conclusion of Game 1.
“LeBron James suffered a significant right-hand injury after Game 1 when he punched a blackboard in the locker room, sources told me and [Dave McMenamin],” Windhorst wrote on Twitter. “He had 2 MRIs & has been wearing a soft cast. LeBron not using injury as an excuse but kept quiet to prevent Warriors from knowing.”
LeBron scored 51 points in the Cavaliers’ Game 1 loss which was amplified by J.R. Smith’s boneheaded decision at the conclusion of regulation. James went on to record 29 points, 13 assists and 9 rebounds in Game 2, 33 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 3, and 23 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in Game 4.
If he did suffer a “significant” injury following Game 1, his on-court performance was not impacted but it does signal a bigger issue for the Cavs: LeBron’s frustration with the franchise boiled over just as he is set to hit the free agency market.
For what it’s worth, however, LeBron admitted he “let emotions get the best of him” and commented on the hand injury.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1005321482870849536
These reports will only add to the fire that LeBron is poised to leave Cleveland for the second time, but where will he land? Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, and Houston have all been mentioned as potential landing spots.
Do you think LeBron’s time is up in Cleveland?
[polldaddy poll=10026482]
