LeBron James played NBA Finals with broken hand after losing Game One
By Shona Duthie
Last Updated: 09/06/18 10:01am
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James admitted he played the final three games of the NBA Finals against Golden State Warriors with a broken hand.
The Warriors won their third championship in four years, after they recorded a 108-85 victory in Cleveland, to take the title in four straight games.
James, who scored 51 points in Game One, admitted during Friday's post-match he has played the last three games with a "self-inflicted" broken right hand, after his team's overtime 124-114 loss in Oakland in the first game.
Speaking on the injury, James said: "What happened? It was self-inflicted. Post-game after Game One I was very emotional, for a lot of different reasons.
"Understanding how important Game One is on the road for our ball club, what would that have done for us?
"The way we played, the calls that were called throughout the course of that game. I had emotions on the fact the game was taken away from us.
"I had emotions of you just don't get an opportunity like this on the road against Golden State in Game One and I let my emotions get the best of me.
"Pretty much played the last three games with a broken hand so that is what it is."
It was reported the injury was as a result of the 33-year-old punching a blackboard in the locker room and he had to have two MRIs during the series before he wore a soft cast when he was not practising.
Seven points from his 51 tally came from the field on shots from 10 feet, but his team could not galvanise a win.
Following the overall loss, questions have now been asked whether James will remain in Cleveland as he can opt out of his contract during this offseason.
It is widely expected he will sign elsewhere as a free agent on July 1.
