Players react to LeBron’s injury and air-conditioning issues for Game 1 in San Antonio

Players were rolling ice bags on their neck and head during and after Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Tim Duncan said he hasn’t played in this type of heat since he left the Virgin Islands.

The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs played under highly-unusual conditions, as the air conditioning in the AT&T Center stopped functioning due to electrical issues, according to Tim Reynolds of The AP:

Power was the culprit in Game 1 of the finals as well, arena officials said.

“An electrical failure for the power that runs the AC system in the AT&T Center has occurred,” Spurs Sports and Entertainment said in a statement distributed in the second half. “We are continuing to work on resolving the problem. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

It’s unclear if the heat was the culprit, but LeBron James suffered cramps in the fourth quarter that eventually shut him down to the point where he had to be carried off the floor by teammates. James has suffered cramps in the past, but never did he look so helpless on the floor as he did in Game 1.

With 4:10 left in the contest, James drove to the basket and scored to put his team within two points. As he landed, however, it was clear that he was done for the night. With James out for the remainder of the game, the Spurs went on a huge run to take the 110-95 victory.

Players around the league had plenty to say about James’ injury, as well as the malfunctioning air conditioner:

I’m pissed about the Lebron James injury. I was so amped up to watch these finals. The heat fatigued his muscles and he had to use >>

— mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) June 6, 2014

 

>>>he had to use other body parts to stabilize. I think his body asked his meniscus to stabilize. That’s not possible , so it tears! — mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) June 6, 2014

 

it would have worked!!!! RT @coachtimzeigler @TheJetOnTNT did you tell LeBron to grab his top lip? lol

— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) June 6, 2014

 

Oh so the AC is the problem. The Spurs was playing also. Just saying — BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 6, 2014

 

Bron having cramps should NOT be the story at all. Cramps happen. Is what it is.

— Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) June 6, 2014

 

Boycotting journalists who kill LBJ for this gm. We’ve watched him for a decade now – and what – he didn’t want to be in there? #GimmieABrk — Rex Chapman (@rexchapman) June 6, 2014

 

I would love to see some of these ppl walk around their house with cramps like that, don’t even mention playing in a bball game.

— Quentin Richardson (@QRich) June 6, 2014

 

WOW he couldn’t even walk!!!! — Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 6, 2014

 

Media is gonna have their way with these headlines…… “Too much heat for the heat” “spurs puts the heat on the heat”. Just wait for it

— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) June 6, 2014

 

@KingJames coconut water should be the only thing you should drink for the next week.. Rehydrate naturally bruh.. — John Salley (@thejohnsalley) June 6, 2014

Whoever is killin Bron for comin out the game has never had severe cramps! You literally cant move…

— Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) June 6, 2014

He aint drink nothing yet?? — Jordan Crawford (@jcraw55) June 6, 2014

If he’s locking up, there’s nothing he can do.

— Brandan Wright (@bwright34) June 6, 2014

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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.