Former All-Star Victor Oladipo undermined LeBron James‘ buzzer-beater from Wednesday’s game, wondering if it was the “easiest game-winner” in NBA history.
Oladipo’s reasoning was sound. Tip-in shots shouldn’t necessarily count as buzzer-beaters since they don’t require a player to shoot over multiple defenders or overcome defensive pressure.
Semantics? Perhaps. The record books still count James’ shot against the Pacers as his eighth career game-winner (playoffs included). He now trails Michael Jordan by just one buzzer-beater on the all-time list.
James, 40, also became the oldest player ever to make a game-winner to seal a victory.
The buzzer-beater notwithstanding, James endured a horrid shooting night. For the first time since 2010, he failed to make a field goal through the first half, and his shooting woes continued into the third quarter. Entering the final period, he was 0-of-6 from the field, and his only three points came from the charity stripe.
James needed to score seven points in the fourth quarter to sustain his 18-year streak of double-digit-scoring games. He would answer the bell with 10 by going 4-of-6 from the floor, including the game-winning shot.
The 22-year veteran finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in the hard-fought 120-119 win over the Pacers. The Lakers entered the contest on a three-game losing streak, which would have extended to four defeats if not for James’s last-second tip-in.
After the game, James explained why another loss would have been devastating for his team.
“The way we’ve been playing… to come in here and get a win in a very hostile environment is big time for our ball club,” James said.
