James fell to a first-round exit in the playoffs for the first time in his career as defending champions the Lakers went down 113-100 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 at the Staples Center on Thursday night, sealing a 4-2 series win for the Suns.
James managed 29 points for the Lakers, who lost key man Anthony Davis after less than six minutes of the game when he limped off with a groin injury having only just returned to the starting lineup.
Suns sensation Devin Booker scored 47 points for his team, as the Lakers became the first defending champions to suffer a first-round playoff exit since the San Antonio Spurs in 2015.
The Suns will now meet the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, after the latter sealed a 4-2 series win over the Portland Trail Blazers.