CLEVELAND, Ohio — LeBron James sat on the bench, close to the scorer’s table, looked up at the video board and soaked in the touching tribute.
Then he cried.
The soaring Cavs spoiled James’ highly anticipated visit Wednesday night, overwhelming the Los Angeles Lakers, 129-99, in front of a sellout crowd at Rocket Arena. Cleveland has won five straight and seven of the last eight. It’s the longest winning streak of the season.
But Wednesday wasn’t about that.
It was about James. Back where it all started. His latest homecoming. Only this one was played against a much different backdrop.
The Kid from Akron, who grew up 40 miles away and spent 11 magnificent seasons with the Cavs, is 41 years old. It’s his record 23rd NBA season. No one knows whether this will be his last, whether this was his last game in Cleveland.
Not even him.
“I haven’t had the conversation with myself and my family on when is it over,” James said following the game. “Just trying to take everything in and not take the moments for granted because it could be. I haven’t made a decision on the future, but very well could be.”
Was that emotional moment — in a building that used to be his palace, under a championship banner he helped hang, in front of a hometown crowd that still adores him and reached deep into their closets for those vintage LeBron jerseys — the first tangible clue?
Perhaps a telltale sign?
In the final year of a $52 million contract with the Lakers, James has played in Cleveland eight times since his departure to Los Angeles in the summer of 2018. There have been that many tribute videos.
He never reacted like that.
This one hit harder. It meant more. Tugged at his heartstrings. Reached the depths of his soul.
As the 60-second video concluded — a highlight package dedicated to James’ masterclass in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons — James grabbed his gold and purple jersey, hid underneath it for a brief moment and wiped the tears from his eyes.
Then he walked back onto the floor. There were still nearly 44 minutes left to play — even though the game itself felt like the night’s sideshow.
“I was just more present today than I’ve been over the previous seven,” James said when asked about the meaning of this return. “Definitely got to me a little bit. Eight years ago, I knew I was going to be playing another game here. In 2019-20, I knew I was going to be playing another game here. I don’t know what the future holds for me. I don’t know if it’s my last game here or not at this moment.”
After a first half that featured six lead changes and four ties, mostly controlled by the Lakers, Cleveland took a two-point advantage into the break.
Then the Cavaliers opened the third quarter on a 10-4 burst, building an eight-point edge — their biggest of the night to that point. The lead reached double figures around the eight-minute mark of the third. By the end of that 12-minute onslaught, the Cavs were up by 22 points.
As the lead swelled to 27 with around nine minutes left, a chant filled the arena.
We want Bronny! We want Bronny!
LeBron’s oldest son, who used to roam the Rocket Arena halls and run around on the court after games as a kid, checked in at the next stoppage, as the Lakers emptied their bench with 8:23 remaining. About five minutes later, Bronny got the crowd back on its feet with a thunderous, one-handed breakaway dunk that preceded a 3-pointer.
The young James tallied eight points, hitting all three of his shots.
“Very nostalgic to be here,” Bronny said. “I was here pretty much every day as a kid, so it feels good to be out here. I’m super appreciative of every memory that I’ve made here. I was almost emotional myself. Being home is another feeling. It’s a crazy feeling to come back and having so much love.
“It got him. It almost got me.”
An emotional LeBron, with his mother, Gloria, and the rest of the family in a suite, finished with just 11 points on 3 of 10 shooting to go with five assists against six turnovers — the worst statistical game he has ever played in Cleveland as a member of the opposition. Prior to Wednesday, he had never scored fewer than 18 points against the Cavs with Miami or the Lakers in 24 such games.
Luka Doncic added 29 points, six assists and five rebounds, shaking off an ankle injury scare that came as a result of him tripping off the dangerous edge of the Cavaliers’ elevated court in front of L.A.’s bench.
The Cavs, playing nearly 30 hours after learning that forward Evan Mobley — the team’s third-leading scorer — would miss at least the next week with another calf strain, used a balance scoring attack.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the way with 25 on 9 of 21 shooting. Second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson, recently named to the Rising Stars team, had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.
De’Andre Hunter, back from a two-game absence caused by knee soreness, missed his first five shots before finishing with 19 points. He made seven of his last 10 attempts. Dean Wade (11 points) and Thomas Bryant (10) also reached double figures.
The Cavs outscored the Lakers 72-44 in a dominant second half. They led by as many as 34. Hardly the (possible) ending James wanted. But it didn’t take away from the night — or the stirring first-quarter moment.
Nothing could.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said it best before tipoff. Games like Wednesday must be cherished.
Cavs and Lakers. National TV. LeBron.
Even during a blowout, fans stuck around, savoring every second, wondering whether LeBron’s teary-eyed return could also be farewell.
Up next
The Cavs will begin a lengthy five-game road trip with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m.
