LeBron James walked off the court early during the Heat's Game 3 win and said it was partly out of frustration
- LeBron James left the court with 10 seconds to play in the Miami Heat's NBA Finals Game 3 win on Sunday.
- Though James left when the buzzer sounded, the difference between the shot clock and the game clock meant the Los Angeles Lakers got the ball back with a fraction of a second to play before the game ended.
- After the game, James was asked whether he left out of frustration about the loss or confusion over the amount of time remaining. "Both," he said.
LeBron James left the court early as the Miami Heat came up with a big win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.
With 10 seconds remaining and the Heat's victory in hand, James walked off the court. He stood by the tunnel to the locker room for a few seconds, then left the area for good as the final buzzer sounded.
While the Heat let their shot clock run out, a slight difference between the shot clock and the game clock meant the Lakers got the ball back with a fraction of a second left. The game clock went off prematurely when tenths of a second remained.
The referees had to call Lakers players back onto the court to finish the game, as many had left the court thinking it was over. However, James was not to be seen.
The ESPN analyst Mark Jackson said that the Lakers leaving the floor was a "bad look."
After the final buzzer sounded, cameras showed James well on his way back to the locker room, ahead of his teammates.
After the game, James was asked if he left the court in frustration over the loss or in confusion over whether the game was over. "Both," he said.
The Lakers head coach, Frank Vogel, said he thought players left the court because they believed the game was over.
Behind a 40-point triple-double from Jimmy Butler, the Heat got the win and made the series 2-1, giving them life instead of falling into a 3-0 hole. James scored 25 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
James said the Lakers weren't concerned about the direction of the series.
"When you have an opportunity and you don't make the most of it, then you come back the next time," James said. "I mean, it's not like the series was over if we won tonight. We know for sure that Miami is never going to quit, no matter if we won tonight and they go into a Game 4 3-0. I know how resilient that bunch is and how resilient that coaching staff is and their franchise.
"I don't ever feel like we let our guard down. Also, I don't feel like we're concerned. We're not concerned. We know we can play a lot better."
- Read more:
- Jimmy Butler says he mocked LeBron James and said the Lakers were 'in trouble' after a masterpiece Game 3 Finals win
- LeBron James' abrupt exit from the Heat infuriated Pat Riley and sent the team down a risky path back to championship contention
- Jalen Rose says a 4th championship puts LeBron James on the NBA's Mt. Rushmore, but Michael Jordan would still be the 'GOAT'
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