Report of LeBron’s minutes restriction had NBA fans mocking the Lakers

The Lakers’ playoff hopes are so slim that LeBron James may finally be giving up on the season.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, the Lakers are going to cap LeBron’s minutes at 32 and consider resting him in back-to-backs. The Lakers have 17 games remaining in the season and three of those games come on back-to-backs.

It had been suggested during the Lakers’ recent skid that LeBron get shut down completely, which would have been tough given the NBA’s tanking and resting policies. But with the Lakers 6.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the West, the Lakers look prepared to come as close as they can to shutting down the 34-year-old LeBron.

BREAKING: @ChrisBHaynes reports Lakers will put LeBron on a minutes restriction and likely won't let him play back-to-backs. pic.twitter.com/02jI7UYIsp

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 7, 2019

By taking the step to limit LeBron’s minutes, the Lakers are conceding that LeBron’s 13-year streak of playoff appearances won’t reach a 14th season. That will be weird.

This latest embarrassment for the Lakers only set them up for more ridicule from NBA Twitter.

The Lakers are still tanking *with* LeBron https://t.co/EUAyORGNVp

— Chans Moleman (@Chantluh) March 7, 2019

“Zero Dark Thirty Mode Engaged” LeBron whispers to himself as the sun sets and he enjoys a glass Pontet-Canet 2011. In the background, on a muted television, the Lakers are down 24 to the Timberwolves. https://t.co/uITy7G28VT

— Matt H (@PanasonicDX4500) March 7, 2019

the tank is officially underway @pickuphoop https://t.co/9V1RoVJc0R

— Boogie Bousins (@bansky) March 7, 2019

"Playoff mode activated"

— Dantesquieu (@dantes_quieu) March 7, 2019

Sorry had to do it pic.twitter.com/VN95pN93nW

— BLACC JESUS (@AhkGlizzy) March 7, 2019

lol Lebron put himself on a minutes restriction like 2 months ago. He’s so bored. https://t.co/jmKFGc4OTj

— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) March 7, 2019

LeBron is getting put on a minutes restriction and the #Lakers won’t be playing him on back to backs?

Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/JUCNKPWteK

— KristapsRobinson (@CarlosDngrfield) March 7, 2019

“The Lakers are tanking” words I didn’t think I would tweet when they signed LeBron https://t.co/ZYGAQ24zPV

— OMERTÀ (@_angu5) March 7, 2019

Lebron went to the lakers and they still Tank 😂

— C H R I S (@chrispyFbaby) March 7, 2019

Lakers fans are all in on the Tank For Zion race.

Lakers had the #2 overall pick for 3 years straight from 2015-2017. LeBron’s now on minute restrictions so basically we tanking now…y’all other tanking teams don’t wanna see us in the Tank wars 😈 pic.twitter.com/BTMnKEr6DL

— GodZo⚰️ (@GodzoBall) March 7, 2019

We did not see that coming when the season started.