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LeBron James gets emotional about Breonna Taylor ruling: 'We want justice no matter how long it takes'

The Los Angeles Lakers moved to within one win from the NBA finals on Thursday with a 114-108 win over the Denver Nuggets, but that wasn’t the only thing on the players’ minds.

After the game, LeBron James personally addressed the decision on Wednesday not to charge Louisville police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, which has set off another round of emotional reactions in the sports world.

When asked about his emotions surrounding Taylor’s case, James became visibly emotional as he laid out his thoughts:

The emotions are very high. We have a teammate that’s from Louisville in Rajon. So as heavy as it’s been on us, it’s even heavier on him because that’s his hometown. I don’t want to get into the case or things of that nature, but I know that we lost a beautiful woman in Breonna that has no say so in what’s going on right now. We want justice no matter how long it takes, even though it’s been so many days, so many hours, so many minutes for her family, for her community.

I’ve got a daughter of mine at home, and a wife and my mom. So many predominant Black women in my life, to think about if they weren’t here the next day, or if they were gunned down, it would be something I would never be able to forgive myself or forgive who did it.

We’re here playing this game and it’s very challenging on us and it’s very difficult, but at the same, time our hearts are with that family, with that city. It’s just so unjust what’s going on. Sorry to be so long-winded. It’s a tragedy, it’s a tragedy and we just hope that there’s better days. You hope for better days and to spread love and not hate, because that’s what it all boils down to.

James had previously reacted to the Taylor ruling on Twitter, blasting the decision to only charge one police officer with three counts of wanton endangerment (basically, for shooting into the walls of other apartments).

Obviously, James is not alone in being outraged by the Taylor ruling. Especially in the sports world.

Athlete after athlete, as well as some prominent media members, has lamented the case and everything it represents. WNBA players called it “outrageous and offensive.” Dak Prescott called it “disgusting.” Donovan Mitchell said the justice system had failed. Jaylen Brown wasn’t surprised.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LeBron James and many more athletes wanted more charges in the case of Breonna Taylor's killing. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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