Despite orchestrating one of the most high-profile trades in NBA history to acquire Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t get past the first round of the playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota wrapped up the series with a gentleman’s sweep (4-1), clinching the decisive Game 5 with a 103-96 win led by Rudy Gobert’s standout performance—27 points and 24 rebounds.
It remains uncertain whether the Lakers would have advanced with a fully healthy LeBron James. The veteran star suffered a knee injury late in the fourth quarter with the Lakers trailing 84-82, following a collision with Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo.
At the time, the extent of the injury wasn’t clear, and some fans doubted its seriousness, especially considering James outweighs DiVincenzo by nearly 50 pounds. However, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin later reported that James sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain, which would have sidelined him for about a month had the Lakers progressed.
Rather than silencing skeptics, the injury news sparked more criticism among fans who accused James of exaggerating or making excuses for the team’s early exit.
“Can set your watch to his annual fake injury excuse dropping,” one fan posted.
Another remarked, “I was told if you were playing you’re not hurt.”
“This is like when he ‘broke’ his wrist… Lesuck is awesome, but he doesn’t need this BS to justify playoff exits—it only tarnishes his amazing legacy,” a third commented.
Other fans chimed in:
“I love Bron, but come on—why the excuses?”
“Ah, the classic injury excuse right after the retirement talk—tale as old as time.”
“Call me skeptical about this injury.”
Now 40, LeBron James remains among the NBA’s elite, but he’s keeping his future plans open.
“I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to that,” James said when asked how long he intends to keep playing.
The Lakers now face a pivotal offseason, with uncertainty surrounding both James and Doncic as they weigh their next moves.
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