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What did Lebron James say about the NBA Play-in?

The Los Angeles Lakers will have to go through the newly devised NBA play-in tournament where they will face Golden State Warriors.

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up on the sidelines in the game against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User e
Justin CasterlineAFP

NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the New Orleans Pelicans 110-98 on Sunday night but they did not avoid the newly devised NBA play-in tournament.

LeBron James posted 25 points for the streaking Lakers, who claimed their fifth consecutive victory, however they did not end the regular season high enough in the Western Conference to bypass the NBA's new play-in format involving the seventh through 10th seeds in pursuit of the playoffs.

The Lakers needed help from the Denver Nuggets but the latter lost 132-116 to the Portland Trail Blazers, leaving the Los Angeles franchise seventh in the west and set to face Stephen Curry's eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors for a playoff berth.

Andre Drummond had a double-double for the Lakers, while Anthony Davis finished with 14 points for the Lakers, who will have to win one of up to two play-in games to clinch a regular playoff position.

Play-in system

Lakers star James was asked for his opinion on the new system back in early May and the 36-year-old took no prisoners when expressing his views.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot close to the basket in the game against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot close to the basket in the game against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, IndianaJustin CasterlineAFP

"That's my mindset, if it happens we end up as sixth, or fifth whatever the case may be, you know the playoff whatever that thing is, whoever came up with that shit needs to be fired, but whatever."

Lakers will face Warriors in the play-in game on Thursday 20 May at the Staple Centre in Los Angeles.