James 'burnt' after Pacers series: 'I'm ready to go home'
Closing out a first-round series has usually meant extra days of rest for Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James.
Unfortunately for the 15-year pro, the Indiana Pacers pushed his Cavaliers to a Game 7 - the first time James has played in a seven-game series in the opening round.
After averaging 41.2 minutes and finishing with a 34.5 percent usage rate, James is understandably exhausted. He'll have just one day to prepare for Tuesday's Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
"I'm burnt right now," James said, according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. "I'm not thinking about Toronto right now. I'm ready to go home."
With one minute remaining in the third quarter of Sunday's Game 7, James left to the locker room after dealing with cramping. He returned at the 8:25 mark of the fourth quarter to close out the game and the series.
James averaged 34.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists against the Pacers.
HEADLINES
- Spoelstra supports NBA's decision on LaMelo: He didn't need to be penalized more
- Luka, Cade eligible for NBA awards; Edwards' challenge denied
- Ex-NBAer Damon Jones to become 1st person to plead guilty in gambling sweep
- CP3 roasts Clippers after play-in collapse vs. Warriors
- Playoff pressure index: 10 NBA figures with most to prove