US President Donald Trump has called LeBron James a total disgrace after footage showed the basketball star appearing to continue his warm-ups during the national anthem. The clip came from the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener, held at New York's Madison Square Garden. In a social media post, Trump said James should apologise to American service members and the country. James had not publicly responded by Thursday afternoon. Coach Nick Nurse said the team would keep focusing on the game and tune out outside distractions.
NBA star LeBron James has lived in several US cities during his career. He mainly lives in Los Angeles, where he moved after signing with the Lakers in 2018. James also owns a 30,000-square-foot mansion in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, valued at around $10 million. After joining the Philadelphia 76ers, he has reportedly been living in New York and commuting to games by helicopter. He previously lived in Miami, where he bought a condo in 2022.
LeBron James made his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers with a 106-100 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. His standout moment came without any statistic. James left Josh Hart to sprint toward Karl-Anthony Towns, forcing Jalen Brunson into a longer pass. The chain of events ended with Tyrese Maxey stealing the ball. Commentator Jamal Crawford praised James for the defensive play.
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Several of the NBA's best young players were born after LeBron James made his league debut in 2003. Grizzlies star Cameron Boozer, the reigning national college player of the year, is 19 and was born around four years after James joined. Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama, 22, was born in January 2004, while James was midway through his rookie season. Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, Hornets guard Kon Knueppel and Spurs guard Dylan Harper were also born in the years after James' debut. 76ers teammate V.J. Edgecombe, 21, was born in the Bahamas in July 2005.
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 106-100 in the NBA season opener, spoiling the Knicks' championship banner ceremony. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 28 points, while LeBron James and Jaylen Brown contributed 14 and 19 points respectively. The Knicks, who honoured their 2025-26 title with a pre-game ceremony, were led by Jalen Brunson's 21 points and Andre Drummond's 12 points and 14 rebounds. The 76ers' strong third quarter proved decisive, with the Knicks unable to mount a late comeback.
LeBron James will wear a special "24 NBA Seasons" patch on his jersey for every game of the 2026-27 season with the 76ers. Sports cards company Topps announced the patch before the 76ers' opening night game against the Knicks. The patches will be removed after each game, and some will be placed into ultra-rare 1-of-1 trading cards. The patch marks James' 24th NBA season, which is a league record for seasons played.
LeBron James has announced an endorsement deal with Polymarket, a leading prediction market, while beginning his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers. The partnership has drawn scrutiny because many people link prediction markets to sports gambling. James will focus on football rather than basketball, according to Polymarket. He is reportedly receiving $15 million a year from the deal, far more than his two-season contract with the 76ers, which is worth $8 million in total. The NBA has no rule against such partnerships, unlike the NFL and PGA Tour.
A 2003 Sporting News feature questioned whether LeBron James deserved to be the first pick in the NBA draft. The magazine said his status may owe as much to ticket sales as to talent. The draft lottery was moved to prime time to capitalise on his popularity. It said James had more ability than most high school players who had moved to the NBA, but his shooting and defence were unproven.
LeBron James, now 41, has defied early doubts about his abilities, maintaining a 23-year winning streak and ranking among the top 25 players. Initially questioned for his shooting and defense, he transformed weaknesses into strengths, becoming a prolific three-point shooter and earning six All-Defensive team selections. His career, marked by record-breaking achievements, has solidified his status as a basketball legend, with his impact extending beyond statistics to include iconic moments like his 2015 Finals game-saving block.
Joel Embiid has denied a report that LeBron James reprimanded him for arriving late to a 76ers practice. Broadcaster Mike Breen first made the claim during a preseason broadcast for MSG Network before apologising after James dismissed it as lies on social media. Embiid said he felt like an easy target for such reports and urged the team to stay together.
LeBron James made his preseason debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 10 points and recording five assists in 18 minutes during a 114-108 loss to the Nets. The 41-year-old showcased his playmaking abilities, which could be a key asset for the 76ers this season. V.J. Edgecombe also had an impressive performance, finishing with 11 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes.
