Lakers fans were ecstatic to see LeBron James return to the floor after a lengthy injury absence. The 38-year-old had been sidelined since Feb. 28 due to a foot injury, missing a total of 13 games before getting back on the court on Sunday.
But Patrick Beverly and the Bulls played the role of spoiler in James' first game back, beating the Lakers 118–108.
The Chicago point guard exacted revenge on his former team, and even trolled James in the process. Beverley hit James with the "too small" celebration after making a basket in the fourth quarter, holding nothing back as he soaked in a long-awaited victory.
James wasn’t the only one on the receiving end of Beverley's antics. The 34-year-old appeared to gesture toward Lakers super-fan Shannon Sharpe, who was sitting courtside on Sunday, informing him that Los Angeles stinks.
Beverley logged 23 minutes for Chicago in the win on Sunday, recording 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds. James, in his coveted return to action, was held to 19 points across 30 minutes off the bench.
The veteran point guard was dealt from the Lakers to the Magic at the trade deadline, from where he had his contract bought out and subsequently signed with his hometown Bulls.
In the end, it was Beverley who got the last laugh, picking up an important win against his old squad in his return to Los Angeles and boldly hitting LeBron with the infamous "too small" celebration.
Have a day, Pat Bev.
