LeBron James has now missed 11 consecutive clutch field goal attempts in playoff elimination games, a stat that validates longtime NBA analyst Skip Bayless’s claim that the Lakers superstar lacks the “clutch gene.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals, ending the Lakers’ season and potentially marking the end of James’s record-breaking 23rd NBA campaign.
With 20 seconds left in Game 4, James missed a pivotal layup. According to NBA Stat, this extended his streak to 11 straight missed shots when the game is in the final minute, during a tie-or-go-ahead situation in playoff or winner-take-all games. The drought has given Bayless fresh ammunition.
“Eight players ahead of LeBron on my all-time list are stone-cold killers I’d trust with my life. LeBron has proven over the years he’s the most mentally fragile superstar,” Bayless told MSM. “Poor LeBron—blessed with immense talent but genetically missing the clutch gene. He’s lucky to be in my top 10, because he’s been a liability at the free throw line in crunch time.”
With 20.3 seconds left, James’s missed layup was followed by a costly turnover that led to a Thunder three-pointer. Still, at 41 years old, James was the Lakers’ engine throughout the postseason.
Averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds over 10 playoff games, he kept the team competitive despite the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He scored seven points in the fourth quarter of Game 4, aggressively attacking the rim to keep L.A. within striking distance.
However, he couldn’t force a Game 5. All eyes now turn to James as he decides his future.
