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LeBron James\u2019 much-awaited return to the Los Angeles Lakers didn\u2019t go as planned, with the Sacramento Kings ruining the Purple and Gold\u2019s supposed \u201cWelcome Back\u201d party for the King.<\/p>\n
The Lakers star didn\u2019t help himself and the team though, as his attempt for a game-winning triple with five seconds left in the fourth hit the back of the rim and bounced high as the clock winded down.<\/p>\n
LeBron\u2026for the lead..nope pic.twitter.com\/6YC08jXQMN
\n\u2014 gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 1, 2021<\/p>\n
Of course, props to LeBron James for taking the big shot when it mattered most. After all, several haters have questioned his so-called \u201cclutch gene\u201d given his history of passing up on big moments and avoiding taking clutch shots from time to time.
\nHowever, fans will certainly be confused with LeBron\u2019s decision to take a quick shot given the fact that there are still significant time left. Kyle Kuzma also had some space after the give-and-go play, and they could have confused the Kings\u2019 defense had they shared the ball again.
\nThen again, it\u2019s already too late for the Lakers to regret what could have been and move on. The Lakers will only be thankful that LeBron\u2019s return didn\u2019t have any problem aside from the loss, as James finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. He also had five turnovers, but that was an unexpected performance from him since he is coming back from a 20-game absence.
\nThe loss dropped the Lakers\u2019 record to 36-27, just half a game away from the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks and one game ahead of the seventh-seeded Portland Trail Blazers. Hopefully, LeBron can quickly recapture his form and put the team back to the win column in their bid to avoid the play-in tournament.<\/p>\n