LeBron James did not play up to his usual level in the fourth quarter on Thursday night, shooting 0-for-3 from deep and scoring just six points total. He also committed three turnovers in that period.
This came after he shot 0 for 2 from outside the arc and scored just one field goal in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' defeat in Game 1.
The inability of James to make shots from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter has been a problem for the whole of the playoffs.
According to ESPN, the veteran has failed to make any of his previous 19 attempts at shooting a three-point shot in the final quarter since making his first fourth-quarter three against Memphis in Game 1 of the playoffs weeks ago.
James' three-point shooting percentage for the year was 32.1%, which is his lowest mark from that category since the 2015–2016 season.
This next weekend marks the return of Game 3 to Los Angeles, which will take place at Staples Center. The Lakers now trail the series 2–0.
the latter stages of games, they will need James to hit his long-range shot for them to have any chance of completing the comeback.