REPORT: LeBron James takes blame for ‘horrible’ mistake in Lakers collapse to Bulls

One night after giving the Lakers a win with a game-winning buzzer beater, LeBron James took away a game.

While it didn’t come completely down to him, LeBron was at the center of the Lakers collapse to the Bulls on Thursday. Despite leading by five with 12 seconds remaining, the purple and gold fell on a half-court buzzer beater from Josh Giddey.

LeBron James breaks silence on 'horrible' mistake vs. Bulls

Before that shot — or Austin Reaves’ preceding layup that looked to be a game-winner itself — could even take place, the Bulls had an incredible six-second span that gave them the lead. After a pair of Reaves free throws, the Lakers led by five with 12 seconds left.

On the inbound, LeBron was caught overhelping, allowing Patrick Williams to knock down a corner 3-pointer. And on the Lakers’ ensuing inbound, a nonchalant LeBron pass was stolen by Giddey, who found Coby White for a 3-pointer to put the Bulls ahead.

After the game, LeBron was well aware of the blame that fell on him and did not shy away from it.

“We put ourselves in a position to win,” LeBron said. “Horrible turnover by myself. Bad miscommunication the play before that. [Reaves] still hit a big bucket to try to save us and you tip your hat if someone hits a game-winner from half court.”

There’s not a lot LeBron can say in this moment that makes this loss sting less or not feel as shocking. The Lakers had a win in their hands and dropped it.

It’s hard to even tip your cap, as LeBron said, to Giddey for the game-winner because he should have never had the opportunity. Because of how fast everything happened in those final seconds of the game, making sense of the loss is hard to do.

LeBron has led the Lakers to many wins and there are many nights where the team has him to thank for the victory, including 24 hours prior.

But this is one of the rare moments when he will have to live with the person being most at fault for a late-game collapse that cost them a winnable game.

Related Posts

Report: JJ Redick had his staff look up actual stats to prove players return from injury against Lakers

Confirmation bias can be a tricky thing to navigate. If you believe something, then whenever you see it, it becomes a more fervent belief. For some time, Lakers fans…

Warriors start fast, blow out Spurs, move back into No. 6 playoff spot

The Warriors exploded out of the gate back in position to avoid play-in game with eight to play.

Bulls Trade Pitch Lands $186 Million All-NBA Star With Front Office Ties

The Chicago Bulls could tap into their ties to Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis with a trade this offseason.

Erik Spoelstra Names Heat’s Biggest Weapon During Playoff Push

  Counting out the Miami Heat seemed to be the move after they traded Jimmy Butler away to the Golden State Warriors. They struggled to get wins…

Hot Search: Luka Doncic And LeBron James Recreate Legendary Photo As Lakers Big 3 Make NBA History

Saturday night in Memphis wasn’t just another win for the Los Angeles Lakers, it was a night etched into NBA lore. Not only did LeBron James and…

BREAKING NEWS: Warriors clear Kuminga in positive news after injury scare

Despite a late injury scare in Friday’s 111-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, talented forward Jonathan Kuminga is set to be available for the Golden State