Update 06/17/2021 1:16pm:

The NBA has responded to LeBron James after the four-time Finals MVP criticized the league's schedule. LeBron claimed that the league's decision to start the current season so soon after bubble play concluded has caused some of the NBA's top players to suffer injuries during the playoffs.

The league rejected LeBron's claims and stated that injury rates have remained consistent despite the quick turnaround.

"Injury rates were virtually the same this season as they were during 2019-20 while starter-level and All-Star players missed games due to injury at similar rates as the last three seasons," the NBA responded. "While injuries are an unfortunate reality of our game, we recognize the enormous sacrifices NBA players and teams have made to play through this pandemic."

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were recently eliminated from the playoffs after winning last season's NBA title.

Original 06/16/2021 9:11pm:

Quite possibly more than any other NBA season, this year's playoffs are more a testament to what team can stay the healthiest than a battle to see who's better. The defending champs Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Clippers have/are dealing with injuries to their marquee players. 

After news of Kawhi Leonard possibly suffering an ACL injury, LeBron James came forward to blast the league over the seemingly endless number of injuries being sustained these playoffs. 

"I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just 'PART OF THE GAME'," tweeted LeBron. "It’s the lack of PURE RIM REST rest before starting back up. 8, possibly 9 ALL-STARS has missed Playoff games(most in league history). This is the best time of the year for our league and fans but missing a ton of our fav players. It’s insane."

"If there’s one person that know about the body and how it works all year round it’s ME! I speak for the health of all our players and I hate to see this many injuries this time of the year. Sorry fans wish you guys were seeing all your fav guys right now," he followed up. 

Source: twitter.com