LeBron James Played On One Leg In Game 5 🏀

PLUS Pop Calls It Quits After 29 Years, Alijah Arenas Released from Hospital, Brunson's Clutch Three Sends Pistons Home

May 03, 2025

Welcome to Office Chair Sports! Your home for everything Sports & Biz! Today, we’re covering top news about:

  • LeBron James Played On One Leg In Game 5

  • Pop Calls It Quits After 29 Years

  • Alijah Arenas Released from Hospital

  • Brunson's Clutch Three Sends Pistons Home

  • Clippers Force Game 7

🏀 LeBron James Played On One Leg In Game 5

LeBron James apparently finished the Lakers' playoff run on one good leg. According to reports, the 40-year-old superstar sprained a ligament in his left knee during the team's final playoff game against Minnesota.

The injury was serious enough that LeBron would have been sidelined for "at least a few weeks" had the Lakers managed to extend their first-round series, which they lost in five games. This means the King's incredible streak of 292 consecutive playoff appearances would have come to an end.

James suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Game 5 when Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo set an aggressive screen that left LeBron writhing in pain on the floor. Despite the injury's severity, James played through it in the closing minutes of the Lakers' elimination game.

Even at 40, LeBron continues to demonstrate the toughness that's defined his legendary 22-year career.

🏀 Pop Calls It Quits After 29 Years

After 29 legendary years on the sidelines, Gregg Popovich is hanging up the clipboard. The San Antonio Spurs announced Friday that Pop is stepping down as head coach but will remain with the organization as team president.

Assistant coach Mitch Johnson, who served as interim coach while Pop recovered from a small stroke suffered in November, will take over as the team's new head coach.

The 76-year-old Popovich retires as the NBA's all-time winningest coach with a staggering 1,422 victories. His legacy includes five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), an Olympic gold medal with Team USA, and a Hall of Fame induction in 2023.

Pop's coaching tree might be as impressive as his trophy case, with numerous former assistants and players becoming successful NBA head coaches, including Steve Kerr, Mike Budenholzer, Ime Udoka, and Becky Hammon (now in the WNBA).

The Spurs dynasty with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu GinĂłbili redefined basketball excellence while establishing Popovich as one of the greatest coaches in sports history.

🏀 Alijah Arenas Released from Hospital

Big update on Alijah Arenas! The five-star USC basketball recruit and son of NBA legend Gilbert Arenas has been released from the hospital less than a week after his frightening Cybertruck crash in Los Angeles.

The 18-year-old was returning from the gym early last Thursday when he lost control of his Tesla Cybertruck, crashing into a tree and fire hydrant. Bystanders heroically pulled him from the burning vehicle before he was hospitalized and briefly placed in an induced coma due to smoke inhalation.

Ranked as the #13 recruit in the 2025 class after reclassifying in December, Arenas made history this year as the first Los Angeles-area boys' player to reach 3,000 career points.

🏀 Brunson's Clutch Three Sends Pistons Home

The Knicks blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead and found themselves down seven with 2:35 left before Jalen Brunson took over when it mattered most.

The newly crowned Clutch Player of the Year drilled the game-winning three with just 4.3 seconds remaining to complete an 11-1 run and lift New York to a series-clinching 116-113 victory over Detroit in Game 6.

Brunson was absolutely dominant down the stretch, scoring eight of the Knicks' final 11 points to finish with 40 total on 15-of-33 shooting. After the Pistons' surge put them up seven late, Detroit went ice cold - missing their final four shots and committing two costly turnovers, including one on their final opportunity when a potential game-tying play for Malik Beasley.

The win sends New York to an Eastern Conference semifinal showdown with the top-seeded Boston Celtics. For a team that's battled injuries all season, Brunson continues to prove he's worth every penny of that massive contract.

🏀 Clippers Force Game 7

The Clippers just kept their season alive!

James Harden and Kawhi Leonard led LA to a 111-105 win over Denver in Game 6, forcing a decisive Game 7. Harden went off for 28 points after struggling the past couple games, while Kawhi added a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Norman Powell was clutch too, dropping 24 points including a dagger three with 1:40 left that basically sealed it. The Clippers built a lead in the third quarter and managed to hold off Denver's comeback attempt.

On the other side, MVP finalist Nikola Jokic had 25 points but was clearly frustrated with the officiating all night.

The winner heads to face OKC in the second round. For Kawhi, who's missed most of the playoffs the last two years with injuries, just being on the court is a blessing.

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