LeBron James returned to Cleveland on Wednesday night but the Cavaliers were too much for him and the Lakers.
The Lakers avoided a potential disaster when star guard Luka Dončić returned to Wednesday night’s matchup against the Cavaliers late in the first quarter after taking a scary fall into the stands just a few minutes into the game.
But what they didn’t avoid was another double-digit loss in LeBron James’ return to northeast Ohio, with uncertainty about his NBA future beyond this season.
The Lakers were blown out by the Cavaliers 129-99 at Rocket Arena during a game in which James uncharacteristically struggled in front of a crowd showering him with adoration throughout the evening.
Dončić finished with 29 points, six assists and five rebounds after returning, but the Cavaliers outscored the Lakers 72-44 in the second half, including 42-22 in the third, for their fifth consecutive win.
James finished with 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting to go with six turnovers, five assists and three rebounds.
The only time the Cleveland crowd cheered louder than it did for James?
When his son and teammate, Bronny James, scored eight points in the fourth quarter – a dunk and a pair of 3-pointers – during garbage time when the Cavaliers had full control.
