LeBron James made a game-winning shot with 58 seconds remaining to ensure the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors in the new ‘play-ins’ format and secured a place in the Western Conference play-offs.
James shot a 34-foot three-pointer to claim a 103-100 win, despite struggling to see after a foul to the face.
LA face the second-seeded Phoenix Suns in the play-offs on Sunday.
Game 73: A new journey begins.
But tired is only in the mind. pic.twitter.com/Z1THPI2i5X
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 19, 2021
“I was literally seeing three rims out there,” James, 36, said.
James received treatment after he appeared to be poked in the eye by Draymond Green with two minutes left in the game.
He was given eye drops but admitted he was unable to focus on making the shot.
“I just shot at the middle rim and I was able to, with the grace from the man above, knock it down,” he said.
Instant Classic.
Respect, @warriors 🤝 pic.twitter.com/I5jfDZztRe
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 20, 2021
His team-mate Anthony Davis joked afterwards that the Lakers “might need to poke LeBron in his eye a lot more to hit shots like that”.
Stephen Curry scored 37 points but it was not enough for the Warriors, who must beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday to advance.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 20, 2021
The Grizzles beat the San Antonio Spurs 100-96 in their play-ins game to set up the meeting. The winners will become the eighth seeds and play the top-seeded Utah Jazz in the first round of the play-offs. The losers are eliminated.
