The NBA finals are over already: a 108-85 win for Golden State in Cleveland meant a 4-0 finals whitewash. Ultimately, not even the ceaseless heroics of LeBron James could save the Cavaliers from a humiliating defeat. It could have been different, however, if the Cavs had stolen Game 1 away from home. That they failed to do owes much to the dawdling eejitry of JR Smith who, believing the Cvs were ahead rather than tied in the final seconds of regulation time, elected to take the ball away from the basket rather than win the game.
The Cavs lost in overtime, with LeBron James battling the fading of the light with an amazing 51-point haul.
James, having carried his teammates to this point, was visibly aghast with Smith at the time:
His frustrations continued after the game, and per ESPN, it affected him in games two, three, and four.
The American outlet report that James sustained a pretty significant hand injury after the game when he punched a locker room blackboard in frustration.
Breaking: LeBron James has been playing with a significant right hand injury that he suffered punching a blackboard after Game 1. (via @WindhorstESPN) pic.twitter.com/httjrhvEos
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 9, 2018
ESPN report that James has had a couple of MRI scans on the hand, and has been restricted to a soft cast when away from the media glare. He was spotted wearing that cast after the game, and at least he has found one of his supporting casts useful.
