LeBron James sat courtside like a regular fan in an arena where he’s had many memorable moments. Having been out of the postseason for a while now, James returned to Ohio to watch Monday night’s playoff game between the Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. His presence sparked discussions about his future in basketball.
James, who has the option to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and become a free agent this summer, arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse just as Game 4 started. He sat opposite the Boston bench alongside his wife, Savannah, and agent Rich Paul.
During a break in the first quarter, James received a huge round of applause when he appeared on the giant screen. He acknowledged the cheering crowd and playfully pretended to put a crown on his head.
He left the arena in the final minutes as the Celtics secured a 109-102 victory, giving them a 3-1 lead in the series.
James played for Cleveland in two separate stints, leading the team to its first and only NBA championship in 2016 before departing in 2018. There have been talks of a possible return, but the 39-year-old has stated that he’s keeping all his options open.
As the league’s all-time leading scorer, James has a home near his hometown of Akron. Although he’s returned to Cleveland several times since leaving, he hasn’t attended any Cavs games until now.
James had a brief postseason this year as the Lakers were knocked out in the first round by the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. He has stated that he hasn’t made any final decisions about his next steps.
