NBA Rumors: Lakers Reserve Crashes Truck After Win Over Dubs – Report

Ben McLemore did not see action for the Los Angeles Lakers during their play-in game Wednesday. However, hours after the game, the 28-year-old was involved in a single-car accident after crashing his truck on a gate arm.

McLemore was uninjured from the Thursday accident in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, but his car did not escape unscathed, TMZ Sports reported. The outlet shared photos from the crash which showed McLemore's Ford Raptor impaled by a gate arm on a road partition.

The 7th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft told police officers who responded to a 911 call on the crash that he accidentally stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brakes. McLemore underwent a field sobriety test and passed, the outlet reported, citing unnamed sources.

The 6-foot-3 guard was not arrested or cited for the accident, but according to an update from TMZ Sports, the gate arm was "absolutely crushed under the weight of the truck" and the ticket dispenser for parking passes was also "destroyed."

Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to put the former Kansas guard to good use as they set out on a tedious journey toward the NBA title. The Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs, with McLemore expected to be assigned defensive duties on the opposing team’s top stars.

McLemore has played in 57 games this season, averaging 7.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 17.5 minutes of action. He could be a key player off the Lakers’ bench to give top stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis a much-needed lift. The Missouri native may also need to step up with first-year Lakers guard Dennis Schroder still trying to recall his old form.

In related news, James managed to escape possible sanctions after it was found that he breached NBA health and safety protocols. The four-time NBA champion won’t be suspended after he attended a promotional event for a tequila brand before the Lakers’ play-in date with the Golden State Warriors, ESPN reported.

The event was also attended by celebrities such as Drake and Michael B. Jordan. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result was needed for those attending the event.

"It's a violation of the agreed upon protocols, and, as we have in other comparable instances around the league, it has been addressed with the team," an unnamed spokesperson said to ESPN.