"40 years old, killing himself in a play-in game" - Charles Barkley raves about LeBron James after his monster effort leads LA Lakers to playoffs
Charles Barkley reserved high praise for LeBron James after the LA Lakers forward guided his team to the playoffs. James gave his all during the team's 108-102 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament on Tuesday.
The Lakers trailed by 15 points, but James kept them in the game, impacting both ends. On a night when the team couldn't get going, LeBron tallied one of the most important 30-point games of his career. He shot 57.1%, grabbed 10 boards, dished out six assists and made two blocks.
On TNT, Barkley hailed the 38-year-old's efforts.
"LeBron is amazing. 40 years old, killing himself in a play-in game."
Charles Barkley:
“LeBron is amazing. 40 years old, killing himself in a play-in game.”
(via @NBAonTNT) https://t.co/ROaGNCgvQZ
LeBron James didn't hesitate diving after loose balls and battling for 50-50 possessions to keep the Lakers in the game. He even drew a charge and defended the Timberwolves players efficiently on most possessions.
James played 45 minutes and 18 seconds in the overtime game. It was the second-most minutes he has played in a game this year. Furthermore, James did all this while battling a foot injury.
The Timberwolves led by 15 points midway through the third quarter, but the Lakers remained unfazed. LeBron James and company tightened up defensively and restricted the T'Wolves to only 12 points in the fourth.
That total could've been nine had Anthony Davis not fouled Mike Conley on a 3-point attempt with just a second left in the game. However, the Lakers maintained their composure to get the win and advance to the playoffs.
LeBron James could be decisive against Memphis Grizzlies in the first round
LeBron James' return to the playoffs is set. This is where he has thrived the most in his career. James made eight finals appearances in a row and nine in 10 years in the 2010s, which isn't an easy feat in the modern NBA.
James will hope to use his experience against the young Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.
Memphis have made the playoffs in three consecutive years. They endured a 4-1 loss in 2021 in the first round to the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies nearly lost in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season but scraped past them. They eventually lost to the Golden State Warriors in the conference semifinals.
Their inexperience was on display in both series. The Grizzlies tend to focus at crucial junctures, something that LeBron James and the LA Lakers will look to capitalize on.