The Warriors’ Big Comeback Against the Lakers Was Something That’s Never Happened to LeBron

In Tuesday’s Hot Clicks: a historic loss for LeBron, some wizardry from 39-year old Zlatan Ibrahimović and more.

LeBron’s team had never blown a lead like this

Eighteen years into LeBron James’ NBA career, it’s uncommon to see any new firsts, but his team’s Monday night loss to the Warriors was an unprecedented happening.

The Lakers led by as many as 19 in the first quarter and carried an 11-point advantage into the fourth. And then they lost. A LeBron-led team had, according to Stats LLC, taken a double-digit advantage into the fourth quarter 284 times while playing at home. Until Monday, they’d never lost one of those games in regulation.

Now, there are a few asterisks here. Specifying “in regulation” means that there has been at least one game where LeBron’s team blew a big fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime. And of course, home games this season are different since the Staples Center is without fans this season.

Still, the fun fact is a fascinating way to think about LeBron’s career. He’s played 1,280 career regular season games, 647 of which have been at home. That means that his team has held a double-digit lead after three quarters in 43.9% of all home games. And it took until Year 18 for his squad to blow one. He has won 850 career regular season games, so 33% of those wins came in relatively easy fashion, protecting a double-digit cushion over the last 12 minutes.

LeBron has played on some really good teams, but good teams still blow games. The Clippers choked away a 22-point third-quarter lead to the Warriors two weeks ago. But LeBron’s teams, even the ones in Cleveland where he was asked to do everything himself, never surrendered a big fourth-quarter lead at home. Nearly 300 games isn’t a small sample, either. It’s a testament to how great LeBron’s career has been.

As for Monday’s game, it was Stephen Curry who came up in the clutch, burying a contested three over Anthony Davis with 1:07 left to push the Golden State lead to five.

LeBron had a chance at a game-winner but his deep, fade-away three didn’t drop.

He’s great in crunch time, but he’s not perfect. 

The best of SI

Jeremy Pruitt’s terrible tenure at Tennessee came to an embarrassing end. ... In 1970, MLB held a star-studded exhibition game to honor Martin Luther King Jr. that’s largely been forgotten. ... This is looking like the Packers’ year to get back to the Super Bowl. 

Around the sports world

Oklahoma State walk-on Dee Mitchell got surprised with a scholarship during his shift at Walmart. ... The Cavs are reportedly going to get rid of 2019 first-round pick Kevin Porter Jr. after he threw a tantrum when they moved his locker. ... Kyrie Irving bought a house for George Floyd’s family, according to Stephen Jackson. 

Durant. Game. 

Zlatan is ageless

They should have listened to Watson

I’m hearing there is a march planned on my behalf in Houston today. Although I am humbled I ask that whoever is organizing the march cancel for the sake of public safety. Covid is spreading at a high rate & I don’t want any fans to unnecessarily expose themselves to infection.

— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) January 18, 2021

Police officers are here but tell me fans can stay as long as they remain peaceful, and stay on the sidewalk. #IStandWith4 #Texans pic.twitter.com/a81BuRVH8j

— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) January 18, 2021

Bieniemy should be a head coach but I wouldn’t wish that Houston situation on anybody

This college hoops season is wild     

Chad Henne is selling shirts on LinkedIn now

Not sports

An anonymous donor gave $40 million to fund scholarships for 50 civil rights lawyers. ... A French woman declared dead in 2017 is fighting to prove that she’s actually alive. ... When police busted a party in England, the attendees claimed they had no idea about the whole pandemic thing because they don’t watch the news. ... A Michigan marijuana dispensary is giving free weed to people who get the coronavirus vaccine. 

The sound this bird makes is absurd

A frisbee on a frozen lake on a windy day

A good song

Email dan.gartland@si.com with any feedback or follow me on Twitter for approximately one half-decent baseball joke per week. Bookmark this page to see previous editions of Hot Clicks and find the newest edition every day. By popular request I’ve made a Spotify playlist of the music featured here. Visit our Extra Mustard page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories.