Denzel Washington created an unforgettable moment on the court Thursday night when he left his seat and crossed the court to greet LeBron James just before the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.
As the teams prepared for tip-off, a video shot from the stands showed the Oscar-winning actor rise from his courtside seat and walk along the edge of the hardwood to reach James.
The Lakers star immediately noticed him, smiled and gave a warm hug.
Washington appeared to wish him luck before calmly walking back to his seat, drawing the attention of nearby fans.
The gesture came moments before the Lakers went on to secure a 119-115 victory.
James played a key role in the victory, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and a block. It was another steady showing in what has been a hotly debated season for the NBA veteran.
Washington, a lifelong Lakers supporter, is a regular presence at games, so the two have crossed paths before.
Still, the timing and spontaneity of the moment made it stand out, especially as James led his team through a close contest soon after.
James is currently navigating his 23rd straight NBA season after dealing with sciatica, and was recently named to his 22nd straight All-Star selection as a reserve.
After missing last year’s game due to injury, he said the recognition still means something to him, regardless of outside debate.
“The coaches voted, right, so crazy respect to the coaches and those who see the way I’m still playing in this final stage of my career,” James said.
“And to be able to be an All-Star means a lot to my family, people who have followed my career, my LeBron faithful. They’ve followed my journey and it’s always rewarding just from a humble standpoint to be rewarded for what you put your work into.”
The season has not been without noise off the pitch.
Recent rumors suggested Lakers governor Jeanie Buss was considering dealing James while claiming their relationship had cooled, with speculation linking him to a potential move to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Buss publicly denied the reports and pushed back against the narrative surrounding James.
“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he should be dragged into my family drama,” Buss said. “To say it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”
Against that background, Washington’s simple show of support felt significant.
For fans watching from the stands and online, the brief embrace served as a reminder of James’ stature not just in basketball but across sports and culture, perhaps explaining why his courtside seats continue to put him at the heart of moments like this.
