LeBron on final matchup with Wade: 'It was either here or at the Garden'

Los Angeles was abuzz Monday night, with fans pouring into the Staples Center for what was billed as LeBron James' last game against his former teammate Dwyane Wade. After the final buzzer, the two stars caused a stir throughout the NBA when James referred to another historic league arena as the only other potential setting for this historic contest.

“I appreciate you ending it here," Wade said of the locale of the marquee matchup. "I appreciate you bringing us to this stage."

'It was either here or at the Garden, that's it," James responded. "That's the only place we could end it at, man."

If James was indeed referring to the league's most famous court - Madison Square Garden - he would've needed to have signed with the New York Knicks this past offseason. Much to the chagrin of the Knickerbockers' faithful, that didn't happen.

Wade announced in September that the 2018-19 campaign would be his last in the NBA.