Patty Mills sinks Lakers after LeBron's unbelievable 'choke'
Aussie NBA star Patty Mills has spoiled LeBron James’ third game for the LA Lakers, sinking an incredible game-winner in overtime.
The San Antonio Spurs led by eight points with just 1:10 on the clock in regular time, with LeBron engineering an incredible 8-0 run – including a miracle 30 foot three-pointer on the buzzer:
But despite his heroics to send the game to overtime, James has been blasted by fans for ‘choking’ after missing two clutch free-throws:
Tuff Tuff loss. Kuz, Lonzo, Hart, Williams balled out. LeBron had a good 2nd half besides the choke job at the end. Should of had that one. #LakeShow
— 💜Ingram SZN💛 (@MambaMixtape) October 23, 2018
Lebron forced overtime just so he could choke
— NO 🧢 (@EvrybodyH8sGabe) October 23, 2018
Lebron just tried to Kobe it 🤦🏻♂️
— bash (@bashirsarealngg) October 23, 2018
Lebron missed those free throws and he got to deal with it. Lakers fans be going to hell and back to expect results.
— Rod (@slumpszn) October 23, 2018
#PattyMills just killed LeBron’s dream tonight. Now that’s gangsta!!!! 💪🏻🙌🏻🏀🏀🏀
— Celine Hamel (@iamCelineHamel) October 23, 2018
Following LeBron’s uncharacteristic misses, up stepped Mills to hit a jump shot with just 6.8 seconds left on the clock.
Mills’ effort sent the Spurs into a 143-142 lead, with the Lakers once again turning to LeBron to get the job done in the dying moments.
Potentially rattled by his earlier mishap, the 33-year-old wasn’t able to channel his inner Kobe Bryant given the situation – with his potential game-winner hitting the rim:
Lebron Misses Game Winner – NBA TV pic.twitter.com/N5jEpP4Bv8
— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) October 23, 2018
Somehow, the Lakers leave this game with a loss. LeBron missed a J just before time expired. LAL had come from 8 down in the final minute of regulation, taken a 6-point lead in the final minute of OT, only to lose 143-142.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 23, 2018
LeBron’s heroics not enough
That magic, though, turned out to be short-lived. Up by one in overtime with less than 15 seconds left, James missed a pair of crucial free throws.
Spurs guard Patty Mills then sunk a jump shot over Lonzo Ball on the next play coming off a screen from LaMarcus Aldridge, putting them up by one with less than seven seconds left.
Mills’ shot capped a rally from a 142-136 deficit with 55 seconds left in overtime
While LeBron had one more shot at a game-winning bucket, it didn’t fall, giving the Spurs the 143-142 win.
James dropped 32 points and had 14 assists in the loss, though Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 37 points, shooting 15-of-25 from the field.
Aldridge led the Spurs with 37 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 59 percent from the field. DeMar DeRozan added 32 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds in the win.
LeBron James looks at the bigger picture
James took a calmer approach in his postgame comments, while acknowledging his missed free throws.
LeBron talks about the final seconds of the Lakers' loss to the Spurs. #PlayersOnly pic.twitter.com/EwU2UQkT8p
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 23, 2018
“We’re gonna continue to get better,” James said. “I like the direction we’re going in. Obviously it’s not resulting in wins right now, but it’s such a long process.”
“We had our chances. We was up six with a minute to go, less than a minute to go. And just couldn’t get a stop.”