LeBron James

LeBron hits huge shot but runs out of steam in OT loss to Spurs

Published Jan. 22, 2017 12:14 a.m. ET

Andre Vergara

With Saturday night's prime-time, nationally televised duel between the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers and the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs hanging in the balance, LeBron James took the assignment of guarding Kawhi Leonard, who was carrying a Spurs team missing Tony Parker and Pau Gasol.

LeBron cooled off Kawhi to keep the Cavs within striking range, then drilled this long-distance three to send the game to OT:

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/823017105310281728

https://twitter.com/ShannonSharpe/status/823014766226485248

But LeBron seemed to run out of gas in OT. Down by three, he threw the ball to a spot on the baseline where no one was standing for his seventh turnover, then after forcing a jump ball, he quit on the play as Leonard streaked in for a dunk to cap his career-high 41-point night:

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/823022053230051329

After LaMarcus Aldridge missed two free throws that could've iced it, LeBron wound up as the inbounds passer while an unguarded Kevin Love chucked up an airball in a wild finish to the 118-115 win. And Twitter had plenty to say:

https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/822979923467870208

https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/823022722783379457

https://twitter.com/calebjsaenz/status/823021562932711425

https://twitter.com/Nicktheegr8/status/823024731741913088

https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/823025492429139970

https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/823028453616160768

https://twitter.com/usgregeaston/status/823031668802023425

https://twitter.com/JuiceboxKlD/status/823028189282914304

https://twitter.com/Reflog_18/status/823022110276808704

https://twitter.com/TenStacks/status/823027398438506498

https://twitter.com/ChiTown_Eazy/status/823022407132868609

https://twitter.com/CountOnVic/status/823021164511555585