LeBron Ended His Postgame Press Conference Early, Admitting ‘I’m Tired, I Want To Go Home’

LeBron James scored 45 points in the Cavaliers’ 105-101 Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers to advance to the second round of the playoffs and preserve James’ undefeated record in first-round playoff series.

James was phenomenal as he logged 43 minutes of action, only sitting at the very end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter due to cramping — the one thing that’s been proven to slow him down in the postseason. Even so, he housed some orange slices on the bench and eventually made his way back into the game where he closed the deal for Cleveland to send them to an Eastern Conference semifinal showdown with the rival Raptors.

After the game, James was physically and mentally fried when he arrived at the podium to talk about his performance. LeBron, who is normally one of the best superstars when it comes to talking with the media, eventually admitted he was gassed and simply wanted to go home, cutting off his availability shorter than usual after he was asked about the Raptors.

“I don’t know. I’m burnt right now,” LeBron says. “I’m not thinking about Toronto right now until tomorrow. I want to go home. Can we? I’m tired and want to go home.”

It is an honest answer from James and one that is more than understandable, as he answered one more question and then left. He tried to play the “whole game” to make sure his season wouldn’t end on Sunday afternoon, and while he didn’t quite make it all 48, he put forth a Herculean effort in the 43 minutes he did play.

There may be a very vocal minority that finds something negative to say about this, but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone in that press conference room who would be actually upset with James about this. When a guy posts 45 points in a Game 7, you can tell the story pretty well without needing too many quotes from him.