LeBron James appears to confirm his return, says he's focused on getting knee healthy for training camp

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has accepted his player option yet, but it certainly sounds like he's going to play in the NBA next season. James gave an update on his knee injury Tuesday, saying he's feeling "good" and is focused on making sure his knee is right in time for training camp, per the Associated Press.
James, 40, is recovering after sustaining an MCL injury during the team's elimination game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves. He appeared to injure his left knee after running into Timberwolves guard Dante DiVincenzo. James initially left the contest, but was able to return and play down the stretch.
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The Lakers lost the game 103-96 and were eliminated from the playoffs. After the loss, James said he wasn't ready to make any decisions about his future.
While James hasn't commented on his plans since then, many expect him to opt into his $52.2 million player option and return to the Lakers. James didn't comment on his contract situation, but did make it clear he's hoping to be 100 percent healthy by training camp, per the Associated Press.
"I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I'm as close to 100 percent as possible when training camp begins in late September," James told the AP.
That does seem to confirm James will return for his 23rd NBA season. Most expected that would be the case, but the injury — combined with James' age — added some murkiness to the situation.
James admitted he knows the end of his career is coming soon, saying he's going to wait and see how his body bounces back and how his family feels before determining how long he wants to keep playing.
"At this point of my career, you think about when the end is. That's human nature," he said. "You think, is it this year? Or next year? Those thoughts always creep into your mind at this point of the journey. But I have not given it a specific timetable, date. I'm seeing how my body and family reacts too."
Despite his age, James didn't show any signs of decline last season. He averaged 24.4 points and 8.2 assists in 70 games. That performance earned James his 21st selection to the NBA All-Star Game.

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NBA Finals Game 7 keys to victory: It all starts with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

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"Just really focused on Game 7 and trying to take it just a moment at a time," Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton said. "Really enjoying what we're doing. Understanding this is going to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, game most of us ever play in in our lives, and for our organization from a historical standpoint, as well. That's something that you don't take for granted and you enjoy as a competitor." Here's how each team can win Game 7: How Thunder can win NBA Finals Game 7 The MVP needs to play like the MVP, and he can't have more turnovers than made shots as he did in Indiana's Game 6 victory. Making mid-range shots, getting to the rim and free throw line, knocking down the occasional 3-pointers and making sure his teammates are involved. The Thunder are at their best when Gilgeous-Alexander scores around 30 points, five assists, two steals and attempts 10 free throws and has no more than three turnovers. In Indiana's Game 3 victory, the Thunder committed 19 turnovers, and in Indiana's Game 6 victory, the Thunder turned the ball over 21 times. It's one thing if shots are falling, it's another to have that many possessions with a field goal attempt. The Thunder don't need 40 points from Williams like they got from him in Game 5. However, an efficient Jalen Williams who is attacking the basket off the dribble and in transition and scoring 20-plus points while rebounding and collecting assists gives the Thunder a much better chance of winning. It's clear Holmgren needs to be involved offensively. He had just six points in the Game 1 loss and four points in the Game 6 loss and was 4-for-18 from the field in those two games. He's averaging 12.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in Finals victories and 10 points and 7.3 rebounds in Finals losses. The Thunder have used depth to their advantage all season. Getting 3s from Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins is important. 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NBC Sports

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NBA Finals Game 7 history: Looking back at the last seven Game 7s

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sunday night we will witness the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history — one game with everything on the line. 'One game. I mean, this is what it's all about,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'This is what you dream about growing up, this kind of opportunity.' It's a stage where the biggest, most legendary names in the game — as well as some role players with impeccable timing — have etched their name in NBA lore. 'When I think of Game 7, at least in the Finals, I think of San Antonio and Miami, and I think of Lakers/Celtics,' Alex Caruso said. On Sunday, people will be thinking of Pacers vs. Thunder. Either Indiana or Oklahoma City will win its first NBA championship (we're not counting the title the former Thunder won as the SuperSonics in Seattle, they will have an expansion team in that city that can count that title soon enough). In honor of Game 7, let's look back at the last seven Game 7s of the NBA Finals. 2016: Cavaliers at Warriors This is the Game 7 that sticks in many people's minds. 'I think that's probably one of the greatest games I've ever been able to watch as a basketball fan,' Tyrese Haliburton said. 'That's what makes Game 7 so fun.' '2016, that was the Kyrie step back on the wing,' the Pacers' Obi Toppin said when asked about his favorite Game 7 memory. 'Yeah, that was probably the coldest one, for sure.' We can only hope Sunday's Game 7 lives up to the drama of the last NBA Finals Game 7, when LeBron James put up a line of 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and three blocks — although we only remember one of them. "The Block" On this day in 2016... LeBron James completed a jaw-dropping chasedown block late in Game 7 of the 2016 #NBAFinals setting the stage for a historic comeback. #NBA75 LeBron's effort helped Cleveland cap a 3-1 series comeback and beat Golden State on its home court. Don't forget about Kevin Love's defense on Stephen Curry late in that game, either. 2013: Spurs at Heat This NBA Finals is remembered more for Game 6, when Ray Allen's corner 3 off a Chris Bosh offensive rebound forced a Game 7 just as it looked like San Antonio would be celebrating a title. After that, the Heat still had work to do. In Game 7, LeBron took charge with 37 points and 12 rebounds, while Dwyane Wade added 23 points and 10 rebounds in the 95-88 Miami win. 2010: Celtics vs. Lakers The Lakers had come from 3-2 down in the series to force a Game 7 (and don't ask Celtics fans 'what if Kendrick Perkins had been healthy?'). Like a lot of Game 7s, this one wasn't pretty. Kobe Bryant stepped up with 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 19 points and 18 boards. However, with the Lakers up by just 3 and more than a minute left in the game, it was Ron Artest's 3-pointer that proved to be the biggest shot of the night, leading to the greatest postgame podium session in NBA history. "He never passes me the ball. And he passed me the ball! Kobe [Bryant] passed me the ball!" On this day in 2010, Ron Artest hit a clutch three against the Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and had a classic postgame interview after winning the title 😂 2005: Pistons at Spurs This was the peak defense NBA Finals — only one team broke 100 all series long — and San Antonio won Game 7 in an 81-74 slugfest. Tim Duncan did his thing with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but it was Manu Ginobili scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter that locked the title up for the Spurs. 1994: Knicks at Rockets New York had a 3-2 series lead, but under the old 3-2-3 format, had to go to Houston and seal the deal. Hakeem Olajuwon proved to be too much. In Game 7 he had 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots. This was the first of back-to-back Rockets titles. 1988: Pistons at Lakers 'Big Game' James Worthy lived up to that reputation in this one with a triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Magic Johnson also stood out with 19 points and 14 assists to help the Lakers come back from a 3-2 deficit in the series and win. 1984: Lakers at Celtics Of course this classic 1980s Finals Game 7 featured a big game from Larry Bird — 20 points, 12 rebounds — but this game is remembered as the Cedric Maxwell game: 24 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. The Celtics got to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy that year.

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an hour ago

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Devers homers against his former team to key 3-2 win for the Giants against the Red Sox

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