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NBA World Loved Mike Breen's 'Blocked by James' Call Next to Richard Jefferson
ESPN announcer Mike Breen perfectly executed a return to one of his most famous calls Sunday afternoon between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In the 2016 NBA Finals, Breen famously exclaimed "blocked by James!" after an incredible chase-down block from LeBron James which helped the Cleveland Cavaliers secure their first and only championship. Richard Jefferson, now an ESPN analyst, was on that Cavs team where he won the sole title of his 17-season NBA career.
Jefferson was on the call next to Breen Sunday, which provided a full-circle moment as James blocked Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo in a big moment during the fourth quarter.
BLOCKED BY JAMES 🤯
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2025
Dorian Finney-Smith NAILS the trey on the other end! pic.twitter.com/GWrxu600su
In addition to his ESPN colleague, Breen gave the NBA world a feeling of déjà vu that they absolutely loved:
Get chills every time we get a Breen yelling blocked by James
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) April 27, 2025
BLOCKED BY JAMES
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) April 27, 2025
That "BLOCKED BY JAMES," nine years later, sure sounded familiar.
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) April 27, 2025
Blocked by James will never not give me chills
— Joe Gilbert (@JoeGilbertCLE) April 27, 2025
that “blocked by james” never gets old, dawg.
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) April 27, 2025
Nothing — NOTHING — like a Mike Breen “BLOCKED BY JAMES!” 🫡
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) April 27, 2025
Just heard a Mike Breen “Blocked By James” in the year 2025 that almost broke the microphone.
— Heath (@heathbrooks14) April 27, 2025
Mike Breen screaming “BLOCKED BY JAMES” pic.twitter.com/2BoNQHNXyq
— Kevin Moore (@KMooreTV) April 27, 2025
Unfortunately for James, his Lakers fell short to the Wolves in a close game that ended 116–113. Lakers guard Austin Reaves got a good look to tie the game at the buzzer, but the shot fell short and L.A. is now on the brink of elimination, trailing 3–1 in the first-round series.
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Blake Silverman is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys and A10Talk. He graduated from Michigan State University before receiving a master's in sports journalism from St. Bonaventure University. Outside of work, he's probably binging the latest Netflix documentary, at a yoga studio or enjoying everything Detroit sports. A lifelong Michigander, he lives in suburban Detroit with his wife, young son and their personal petting zoo of two cats and a dog.