LeBron James was a hero and a hilarious meme all in one wild night

This was another classic night from LeBron James.

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Well that Warriors-Lakers play-in game sure lived up to all of our high expectations, didn’t it? I mean, that was FUN.

Steph Curry came out early and did lots of awesome Steph Curry things, including drilling an incredible 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter that gave the Warriors a 13-point lead at the break.

Golden State had the defending champs on the ropes but then in the second half the Warriors committed way too many turnovers and let the Lakers get back in it.

Then late in the fourth quarter something familiar happened – LeBron became a meme with the face he made after getting poked in the eye by Draymond Green. It was like a newer version of the Jordan crying meme.

But that meme quickly became just a little side note to what turned out to be another clutch moment from King James, as his late 3-pointer with just under a minute left beat the shot clock and left the Warriors shaking their heads and heading to a second play-in game against the Grizzlies.

It was a classic LeBron moment. Just when it seemed like his team might be in some serious trouble he put them on his back and, with a hurt eye, carried them to a win and the No. 7 seed in the West where they will face the Suns.

LeBron, who said he was seeing three rims after the eye poke, finished with a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) but he was clearly still a little slowed from the ankle injury that bothered him down the stretch of the regular season. He’s very lucky that he doesn’t have another play-in game because the Warriors really should have won that game last night.

But the Warriors didn’t win the game – LeBron did, as he has so many times when it things matter the most. Once again he created a moment that will be tacked on to his career highlight reel – Steph Curry charging at LeBron as he hoists another game-winner. It was beautiful.

And it was a perfect ending to another classic LeBron playoff game. He had the meme. He had the shot. He had the win.

We’ve seen it all before and each one is just as fun as the last. Now the Lakers will take their next step in trying to defend their title and it looks like LeBron is ready for more must-see moments.

Sign me up.

Quick hits: John Daly looking like Santa at PGA Championship… Tatis Jr.’s wild full split… Derrick Henry’s workout videos… And more. 

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

– The PGA Championship has started at Kiawah and John Daly is out there looking like Santa.

– You need to see the full split Fernando Tatis Jr. did to stay on the bag after a stolen base. Wow.

– Derrick Henry’s incredible workout videos should make NFL defenses nervous.

– Larry David had the most Larry David reaction to running into Tom Brady at the Kentucky Derby.

– Golf fans roasted Jordan Spieth’s hideous shirt.

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