"Had 'em disappeared": Skip Bayless switches focus back on LeBron James criticism after relentless Shedeur Sanders draft take
LeBron James carried the cudgels once more for the LA Lakers on Friday, but it was still not enough as the Minnesota Timberwolves won Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round series. James put up 38 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to keep the Lakers in the game before bowing out late.
James’ scoring tally was also the most points by a 40-year-old in NBA playoffs history. However, one of his biggest critics and NBA analyst Skip Bayless, quickly turned focus back on James, blaming him for the Lakers’ loss after a back-and-forth game against the Timberwolves.
“CAN'T MAN CAN!!! I'm about to unleash a video on this Lakers' collapse. Had 'em. Disappeared. Bron???,” Bayless posted on X minutes after the game.
Bayless' tweet came amid a series of posts about NFL prospect Shedeur Sanders, who has become the talk of the town following his snub in the first three rounds of the 2025 draft. However, the Lakers' loss was the catalyst for him to shift his attention back to LeBron.
Meanwhile, James played 41 minutes in the game and had the most points on the team. He also brought the Lakers to within one midway in the fourth quarter after draining three triples in the final period.
He finished the game with an efficient 13-of-21 shooting, including five made three-pointers, albeit for naught.
LeBron James’ production was necessary to fill the offensive gap left by a sick Luka Doncic, who was underwhelming in the game as he nursed a stomach bug for most of the matchup.
Timberwolves’ star Anthony Edwards praises LeBron James for red-hot shooting in Game 3
While LeBron James received scrutiny from his usual critic, the Lakers star saw great praise from Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who was in awe about James’ shooting in the game.
In the post-game press conference, Edwards acknowledged James’ red-hot shooting from three as he shot threes from way behind the line.
“He was shooting it from Yucatan. He was shooting it crazy,” Edwards said.
However, James could not find the hole in the game's last five minutes as the Minnesota defense anticipated his attempts and covered them up quickly. In one instance, James even attempted a wild fadeaway three down the stretch, hitting the side of the backboard to help seal the Timberwolves' win.
LeBron James and Edwards also shared a moment on the court, sharing laughs during a challenge late in the game.
The Timberwolves will look to extend the series lead against the Lakers in Game 4, still in Minnesota.