Watch: LeBron James flops during in-game scuffle
Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.
LeBron James flopped to draw a technical foul during a second-quarter scuffle in Cleveland’s 99–84 Game 4 loss on Saturday.
Raptors center Bismack Biyombo and Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson became tangled up after a foul in the final minute of the half, when James and Cory Joseph entered to intervene. Joseph pushed Thompson away from Biyombo to break things up, and as Thompson walked away he inadvertently elbowed James in the face.
James then went crashing to the floor with a head of steam. Joseph and Thompson were assessed technical fouls.
• MORE NBA:The Bismack Biyombo Game | LeBron quotes Jay Z in presser
“I’m not trying to sell a call. I got hit with an elbow. I didn’t know from my own teammate,” James said after the game. “I thought it was DeMarre [Carroll], but I watched the replay, it was from my teammate. So no—sell a call for what? There was no call there to be sold. That’s it. I was going to say something else to you, but I’m going to leave it alone.”
• MORE NBA: J.R. Smith credits 2K for fadeaway threes | East finals schedule
James also embellished a bit earlier in the quarter, when Kyle Lowry was called for his third foul.
James finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes. Game 4 is Monday in Toronto at 8:30 p.m. ET.
– Kenny Ducey