Skip Bayless believes LeBron James' lack of "closer gene" led to loss against Sacramento
LeBron James and the LA Lakers lost to the visiting Sacramento Kings 116-111 after an exciting back-and-forth in the fourth quarter. The four-time MVP had five points and six assists in the final canto but couldn’t carry his team past the Kings.
After the game, Skip Bayless took no time to rip into the Lakers superstar:
“LeBron James: no closer gene. The "King" loses to the Kings without Sabonis ... because he AGAIN failed to close a game begging to be won by him.”
LeBron James: no closer gene. The "King" loses to the Kings without Sabonis ... because he AGAIN failed to close a game begging to be won by him.
The Fox Sports analyst has been taking shots at LeBron James nearly every time the LA Lakers have lost over the past five years. He’s repeatedly called out the 18x All-Star’s supposed lack of clutchness.
The Sacramento Kings missed Domantas Sabonis, but the LA Lakers were also without Anthony Davis, Lonnie Walker IV, and Austin Reaves.
“King James” poured 27 of his 32 points in the first three quarters to give the Lakers a chance to win the game. He went into playmaking mode in the fourth period as he capitalized on all the attention the Kings’ defense was throwing at him.
Three of James’ points came in the last 1:10 seconds of the game, which tied the contest at 108. Following Harrison Barnes' 3-point play, James dished another assist to Kendrick Nunn, who drained a 3-point shot to cut Sacramento’s lead to 112-111.
The Kings quickly inbounded the ball to De’Aaron Fox, who promptly passed it to a streaking Richaun Holmes. Lakers rookie Max Christie made the mental error of committing a “clear path” foul, which awarded Sacramento two free throws and ball possession.
THIS ENDING ‼️
Lakers lose on a take foul 😬 https://t.co/7AY5CkCFab
The Lakers ultimately lost, but ceratinly not because of LeBron James. Had Christie not made that game-changing foul, the four-time MVP could have done more on the other end.
Other than LeBron James, the LA Lakers’ starting unit didn’t show up
LeBron James matched Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox point for point. The former finished with 32 points, while the latter had 31. The fact that the 38-year-old veteran didn’t give an inch, scoring-wise, to the 25-year-old youngster was something to marvel at.
While James was scorching hot, the other starters were shooting blanks. Troy Brown Jr., Dennis Schroder, Patrick Beverley, and Thomas Bryant combined for just 20 points. Sacramento’s starters, excluding Fox, exploded for 64 points.
If not for the bench, led by Rusell Westbrook’s 19 points, the LA Lakers would have been blown away. “Russ” also scored a couple of crucial baskets in the fourth quarter to help keep the Lakers within striking distance.
Westbrook's latest display affirms his status as the leading contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Lebron has 32 Fox has 31
Rest of starters
Sac: 62
LAL: 20
Sacramento held a 88-74 edge after Keegan Murray’s dunk with just a little over two minutes remaining in the third period. Behind Westbrook and James, the Lakers launched a 25-10 run to take a 99-98 lead with 7:19 still to play.
De’Aaron Fox, who was nearly unstoppable, squeezed in a layup against a trio of defenders to retake the lead for the Kings. Sacramento held on to that cushion until the game ended.