With the Lakers holding a 40–32 lead over the Nuggets mid-way through the second quarter of Game 2, LeBron James did the unthinkable.
Off a pass by Rui Hachimura, the four-time NBA champion was in the clear for what appeared to a highlight slam dunk. Instead, after gathering in the ball and taking off from just inside the free throw line, James lost control of the ball and lost possession out of bounds.
The blunder was shockingly uncharacteristic for James and one of just a few mistakes made by the Lakers as they raced out to a 53–48 halftime lead. James tallied 10 points, five rebounds and six assists in an inspired performance, but the botched dunk left a blemish on the first half of his Game 2 outing.
LeBron blew the dunk 😅 pic.twitter.com/bRvv3lGYGh
— ESPN (@espn) May 19, 2023
The NBA world was relentless in their reactions to blown dunk on Twitter.
Lebron’s inner thoughts
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) May 19, 2023
pic.twitter.com/rPSNzEKS1x
THATS A FOUL pic.twitter.com/T2p3piHGLE
— Tubby Sports (@TubbySports) May 19, 2023
LEBRON IS WASHED pic.twitter.com/LMGLxfVxd6
— ₚₘ (@cvzmo) May 19, 2023
LeSlipped
— AZRA😳 (@azra_lifts) May 19, 2023
Oh no, Bron
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) May 19, 2023
LeBron out there looking kinda clumsy😂
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 19, 2023
LeBron after blowing the dunk pic.twitter.com/lNMXbkh5gF
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 19, 2023
.... father time is undefeated.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 19, 2023
Lakers fans are hoping the mistake by their leader is not a harbinger of things to come as Los Angeles looks to even the series before heading back home for Game 3 on Saturday.
