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- LeBron says he played last three Finals games with hand injury, undecided on future
LeBron says he played last three Finals games with hand injury, undecided on future
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James lifted the lid on a serious hand injury sustained in game one of the NBA Finals.
LeBron James revealed he "pretty much played the last three games with a broken hand" after the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
James suffered his sixth Finals defeat following the Cavaliers' 108-85 game-four loss to reigning champions the Warriors in Cleveland on Friday.
The Cavaliers were outclassed on home court at Quicken Loans Arena and reports immediately emerged of a serious hand injury to James, who reportedly punched a blackboard after Cleveland's dramatic game-one defeat.
James – a three-time NBA champion – scored 51 points but the Cavaliers suffered a 124-114 overtime loss following a bizarre brain fade from team-mate J.R. Smith, who dribbled the ball out in regulation after collecting the offensive rebound with the scores tied.
"Self-inflicted ... after game one," James told reporters after finishing with 23 points. "Very emotional ... the way we played, the calls that were made, I had emotions that the game was taken away from us.
"Pretty much played the last three games with a broken hand."
James received a heartfelt standing ovation as he left the game-four blowout early to allow the Cleveland crowd to say goodbye, potentially.
The 33-year-old is tipped to enter free agency during the off-season – with the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets possible destinations – and he came out of the clash four minutes from the end to chants of "MVP! MVP!".
Asked about his future post-match, James – who returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and delivered a championship in 2016 – insisted his decision will revolve around his family.
"The one thing that I've always done is obviously consider my family," the four-time MVP said.
"Especially where my boys are at this point of their age. They were a lot younger the last time I made a decision like this four years ago.
"Teenage boy, pre-teen and a little girl that wasn't around last time as well.
"So I'll sit down and consider everything. My family is a huge part of whatever I decide to do."