LeBron James, in a post-game interview after the Lakers’ 114-109 loss to the Knicks, attributed their struggles to mental fatigue stemming from frequent travels, particularly their recent trip to Vegas. The Lakers, who had a hot start in the third quarter, couldn’t maintain consistency, missing crucial layups that the Knicks capitalized on for the win.
Anthony Davis showcased his prowess with an impressive performance, notching 32 points and 14 rebounds. Surprisingly, Austin Reaves, coming off the bench, contributed 20 points and 3 rebounds. Despite their individual efforts, the Lakers couldn’t bridge the gap created by the Knicks’ early lead.
Lakers and Pacers Struggle Post-Finals Victory
LeBron James, pointing fingers at their In-Season Tournament Finals rivals, the Indiana Pacers, highlighted their shared struggles. The Lakers had previously defeated the Pacers 123-109, showcasing signs of a potential comeback. However, both teams have faced setbacks since then, with the Pacers losing against the T-wolves, Clippers, Wizards, and Bucks, and the Lakers going 1-3 post-Vegas, their lone win against the Pistons on December 12th.
In the post-game interview, James took a dig at the Pacers, stating, “It could be a little bit of everything, I don’t know… I mean, have you seen Indiana’s record since Vegas?” He suggested a correlation between their performance dip and the time spent in Vegas, hinting at a curse. The reporter acknowledged this sentiment, responding, “There indeed is something to that,” with James partially agreeing.
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As the Lakers grapple with their recent challenges, LeBron James’ focus on the Vegas trip as a potential curse raises questions about the impact of external factors on team performance, leaving fans and analysts alike intrigued by the team’s ability to overcome this apparent setback.