After his on court altercation with the legendary Stephen A Smith, LeBron is now accused of flopping
The Los Angeles Lakers had their eight-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics.
More concerning than the loss, though, was LeBron James exiting the game in the fourth quarter due to an injury that could sideline him for weeks.
Before leaving, James posted 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. But a moment in the fourth quarter sparked more buzz than his performance.
With the Lakers down by 18, Jayson Tatum drove to the basket and appeared to lightly graze James with an elbow. Despite the minimal contact, James fell dramatically to the floor in a moment many called exaggerated.
Multiple high-definition camera angles made the reaction appear even more theatrical, fueling criticism online. Fans quickly took to social media, accusing James of flopping and turning the moment into a viral talking point.
Social Media reacts literally destroys James after the game
LeBron James’ flop quickly became a viral hit on social media, with fans mocking his exaggerated reaction.
One fan dubbed him the “Best actor in LA,” sharing the clip to highlight the dramatic fall. Others joined in, with one user claiming James flopped to cover poor defense, saying, “The dude gets beat and has to flop to cover how horrible his defense was.”
Some took a humorous angle, comparing his reaction to soccer theatrics. “He’s ready for his soccer career now,” a fan joked, referencing the common tactic of exaggerating contact in that sport.
Beyond the mockery, the incident raised questions about the NBA’s stance on flopping. James’ actions were compared to a recent flop by Donovan Mitchell, who was fined $2,000.
One fan even called for a similar penalty, saying, “He should start paying fines for these antics. It’s no wonder nobody watches the @NBA.”
While the league hasn’t made an official statement, James could face discipline under the NBA’s anti-flopping rules.
