During Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James unexpectedly fell to the floor in the closing seconds before halftime.
The situation worsened for James as the game progressed into the second half. Near the end of the third quarter, with the Warriors leading 105-78, James attempted a 3-pointer while forward Andrew Wiggins came up to challenge the shot.
James was displeased that no foul was called, and he expressed his frustration by screaming at referee Pat Fraher while walking down the court.
Fans noted that James took a strange fall right before halftime, seemingly crashing to the ground for no reason at all.
The Warriors attempted a full-court pass to make one last shot before the end of the second quarter, but Rui Hachimura deflected it, and James, who appeared to be reaching for the ball, fell to the ground.
The Lakers had a tough time in Game 2, with the Warriors outscoring them by 41-23 in the second quarter and 43-24 in the third quarter, leading to a commanding 30-point advantage going into the fourth quarter.
If the Warriors win the game, the Western Conference semifinals will be tied at one game each, and the teams will meet again on Saturday for Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
James still expressed faith in the Lakers’ defense as the series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday night.
“We’re still the best defensive team in the league, if not one of them,” James said. “So that doesn’t change. That’s what we hang our hats on. … That doesn’t stop no matter who we’re playing against.”
