LeBron James Gives Exact Insight Into His Mind While Attempting 4 Clutch FTs in Bail Out Win Over Suns

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns - Source: Imagn
LeBron James Gives Exact Insight Into His Mind While Attempting 4 Clutch FTs in Bail Out Win Over Suns. [photo: Imagn]

LA Lakers superstar LeBron James went from goat to hero late in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The four-time MVP missed a free throw with 12.2 seconds left while LA trailed 114-113. A few possessions later, he went 2-for-3 from the 4.5-meter line to help drag the Lakers to a 116-114 win.

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After the game, James responded when asked what went through his mind while at the free-throw line (via Lakers Nation):

“Make them. Make them to put yourselves in a position to win the game.”
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Following a Devin Booker foul that the Suns unsuccessfully challenged, the refs gave LeBron James three free-throw attempts with 3.0 seconds to go. James flubbed the first before making the second to tie the game at 114 apiece. The Lakers moved ahead when the 23-year veteran drained his third attempt.

James went 9-for-14 from the free-throw line against the Suns. This season, he is averaging 60.7% from the stripe, easily the worst in his career. The last time he shot below 70% was during the 2020-21 season when he finished with 69.8%.

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The Lakers nearly wasted a 20-point lead before banking on LeBron James to bail them out. They led 86-77 entering the fourth quarter but squandered their advantage due to sloppy execution and turnovers.


JJ Redick said Luka Doncic should have shot technical free throw shot instead of LeBron James

After bumping into LeBron James, the referee gave Dillon Brooks a technical foul, his second in the game, which meant an ejection with 12.2 seconds left. Luka Doncic, who usually takes the free throws off technical fouls, watched James strode to the charity stripe.

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After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick said (via Dave McMenamin):

"Luka (Doncic) should have shot that."
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In the postgame interview, James gave his side of that story:

"S**t, I just walked up to the free-throw line. Why wouldn't I? I've been okay with Luka (Doncic) taking it, too. We've both been in precious situations. ... Unfortunately, I missed it, but I made up for it.

James made the game-tying and go-ahead free throws. He also sealed the win by blocking Grayson Allen's shot that could have forced overtime.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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