Phoenix Suns Break LeBron James’ Incredible Playoff Streak With Dominant Victory Over Dreadful Lakers

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Phoenix Suns in the fifth game of their first round series. Given the number of deep post-season runs he has made in his 18-year NBA career, it is safe to say that James is a seasoned playoff veteran.

While the Lakers did have a comfortable lead over the Suns winning 2-1, game 4 certainly was a different story all together. With Anthony Davis suffering from a groin injury, the champions were without their leading scorer.

With Davis out, Lakers hoped that their talisman LeBron James would step up and lead their team to a victory. Given that the winner of the game would go up 3-2, this was a must-win for the champions.

Phoenix Suns break LeBron James’ playoff record in embarrassing Lakers’ loss

While everyone expected the game to be a cracker, it did not pan out in the same manner. After taking a 8 point lead with a 34-26 scoreline in first quarter, the Suns torched the Lakers 32-10 in the second quarter. With the scoreline of 66-36, this game was pretty much done in the first half.

Prior to this game, ‘King James’ had an incredible record in the first round of the playoffs. In the 14 first round series’ he had played, LBJ had played a total of 71 games and hadn’t lost consecutively ever.

This streak was finally broken tonight by the Suns. With the misfiring supporting cast and no space to attack the lane, the Lakers’ offense looked clueless and deservedly lost the game.

LeBron James has played 71 first-round games in his career and has never lost consecutive games.

That’s the most 1st-round games played without consecutive losses to begin a career since the NBA went to a 4-round format in 1975.
Tim Duncan has the next-longest streak (34). pic.twitter.com/kzpkBN8FvG

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2021

Apart from this, the Lakers’ dreadful performance on the court warranted some unwanted playoff records of their own. The 30-point deficit that the champions had in the half, was the largest deficit to a Laker team in the playoffs since 1992.

This was also LBJ’s largest ever halftime deficit only showing how disappointing the champions really were.

The Lakers trail by 30 points at halftime.

That’s the largest halftime deficit for a LeBron James team in his playoff career.

It’s also the Lakers largest halftime deficit in a playoff game since 1992. pic.twitter.com/v4wY65Qp1W

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2021

The Lakers looked hapless tonight and ultimately were blown out by the Suns 115-85. This is certainly a pretty uncharacteristic performance from the team. With their next game only a couple of days away, the Lakers have to figure out how to defeat this young Suns team. Will the Lakers make a comeback and tie the series at the Staples center?

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