This year’s NBA playoffs were a big disappointment for the Los Angeles Lakers, who were eliminated in five games in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coming into the playoffs, many felt they had a real shot at winning it all, but instead, they were sent home in the opening round for the second year in a row.
LeBron James had an underwhelming series, and he played poorly in multiple fourth quarters in the series. Late in Game 5, he collided with Donte DiVincenzo, and although he remained in the game, it was later reported that he had sprained his MCL.
Skip Bayless isn’t buying that report. On his podcast “The Skip Bayless Show,” he accused James and his agent, Rich Paul, of manufacturing an excuse.
“Another LeBron playoff flameout, mostly uncriticized, followed by another leaked and planted excuse for said flameout,” Bayless said. “He and his inner circle just did it again. Rich Paul, you are the all-time greatest at excuse planting with key media members. Never seen anything quite like this. Congrats on this coup that you just pulled off, Rich Paul.”
“… A longtime NBA trainer I know very well immediately texted me soon after this story was posted, and he said to me in the text, ‘You cannot have a grade two MCL sprain and come back in a game.'”
James may have overdramatized past injuries he had in the past, and if Bayless was telling the truth about that text from that trainer, this could be another case of just that.
In any case, the initial report did say he would take three to five weeks to recover. In fact, he did not attend the annual Met Gala in New York City as a result.
Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on! Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the…
James has a player option for next season. He was non-committal following the Lakers’ playoff exit, but many, including Bayless, one of his biggest critics through the years, expect him to be back for the 2025-26 campaign.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Skip Bayless accuses LeBron James of faking knee injury in Game 5
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
