LeBron James felt a little inspired when he hung 21 fourth-quarter points on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Los Angeles Lakers' win Monday.
James said postgame he didn't enjoy a Cavaliers executive taking pleasure in his missed shot to end the third quarter, which prompted him to go on a tear in the final frame.
"It was someone I know, for sure. I felt he was just a little bit too excited about seeing me miss. That's what happened," he said, according to Spectrum SportsNet.
James tried to convert a contested, turnaround jumper at the buzzer but could only find the rim. As he walked away from the play, the Lakers star was seen staring someone down courtside.
A member of the Cavs front office was too happy and loud about LeBron missing a shot at the end of the 3rd quarter.
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) January 26, 2021
So LeBron outscored the entire Cleveland team in the 4th..
LeBron 21
Cleveland 19
pic.twitter.com/zPcCBZWBvo
When asked to elaborate on the individual's identity, James only specified that the person in question was a member of Cleveland's "front-office group."
"He was really excited about me missing that shot," he added. "A little bit more extra than I would have liked. He's got to root for his team, obviously, and he showcased that. I knew I had another quarter and the fourth quarter is my favorite."
James finished the night with 46 points, setting a new season high. No one on either team scored more than four points in the fourth quarter. The Lakers won 115-108.
