James says injury risk kept him from dunk attempt

LeBron James said he chose a layup instead of attempting a dunk because he feared a collision could leave him sidelined for two to four weeks, after Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson blocked his shot during Philadelphia’s 114-109 win on October 28. James described his decision on an episode of the Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash. He said he saw Slawson pursuing him during a fast break and weighed the risk of trying to dunk against the potential reward. James said he decided to lay the ball up, but Slawson caught up and blocked the attempt. The play happened early in the second quarter with the score tied 25-25, according to James and accounts of the game. Officials initially called a foul on Slawson. Indiana challenged the call, and a replay review overturned it, awarding Slawson a clean block. James said he agreed with the decision. James said the injury risk influenced his choice, estimating that a bad collision could keep him out for two to four weeks. That assessment was his explanation of his thinking at the time; the account does not independently establish what he would have done had he judged the risk differently. He also said he might have attempted the dunk...