“He hurt his hand punching a wall” - 4-time NBA champion claims LeBron James knew 2018 Finals were over after losing to Warriors in Game 1

LeBron James was furious after losing Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. [Photo: NBA.com]

LeBron James gallantly tried to carry the Cleveland Cavaliers past the star-studded Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals. James’ Cleveland Cavaliers managed to win only one game in the 2017 Finals and were looking to do better the following year.

The four-time MVP started the series brilliantly, pouring in 51 points in Game 1, but the Cavaliers lost in overtime. The game is remembered for for J.R. Smith's hilarious gaffe.

In the dying seconds, Smith grabbed a rebound. He thought his team would call a time out and and dribbled away from the basket instead of taking a shot and potentially sealing the win. James was livid after the game and stormed off the court, knowing his team had wasted a golden opportunity.

Andre Iguodala, on an episode of "The Point Forward," reflected on that game and its aftermath.

“He [LeBron James] hurt his hand punching a wall, to what extent, we don’t know, but he’s thinking to himself, ‘Man, it’s over! Not that he’s conceding but, it’s the truth! People don’t get that. They think, ‘Ah, it don’t matter, it’s one game.’

"No! They really matter, that's why everything in them finals matters."

One of the most viral moments in Finals history

JR Smith’s Game 1 blunder is still wild a year later 😅 https://t.co/osIJ80aV0I

Who knows how the series would have turned out had the Cavaliers won that game. Andre Iguodala claimed that it was the best performance he’d ever seen from LeBron James, who tallied 8 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal and a block to add to his 51 points.

The Warriors had a lineup featuring Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green at the time. Cleveland countered with James, Smith, George Hill, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson.

Kevin Durant is your 2018 NBA Finals MVP back-to-back years. He is only the sixth player to do so. https://t.co/rJkpoqE3aA

The disparity in firepower was all too evident as the Cavaliers were swept.

LeBron James’ brilliance likely wouldn’t have been enough to beat the star-studded Golden State Warriors team even if the Cavs had won Game 1

The Warriors' firepower and chemistry were just too much for the Cavaliers to overcome in the 2018 NBA Finals. [Photo: TIME]

Since Kevin Durant's arrival in Golden State, the Cleveland Cavaliers won just one of their eight championship games against the Warriors. Throughout the 2017-18 season, most felt that the only team that could beat the Warriors was Golden State itself.

In the 2018 Finals, LeBron James shiowed why he is among the best players in NBA history. He averaged 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.3 blocks. Only two players on that Cleveland Cavaliers team averaged double digits in points, James and Kevin Love, who had 19.0.

Four years ago today, LeBron James opened the 2018 Finals with a 51-point explosion in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Is his 2018 playoff run the best of his career? https://t.co/5oRZVerLcu

Even if the Cavaliers had pulled off an upset in Game 1, it's unlikely they would have been able to sustain that level against a dominant Warriors unit.