Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James took an unexpected sip of a fan's red wine during Monday night's game against the Chicago Bulls. With the Sixers leading by 11 points in the third quarter, James chased a loose ball and collided with Troy Clemons, a longtime Sixers season-ticket holder carrying a cup of red wine, which happens to be James' favorite. James took a sip and said with a smile, "I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm, how good it was. It was all right."
Clemons said he wasn't starstruck or upset by the moment. "I'm just glad for him to be here," Clemons told ESPN. "I'm not worried about the wine getting on me."
The lighthearted moment fit a playful night for James, who also danced after an and-one layup and celebrated with guard Tyrese Maxey, who was left in laughter. The Sixers won 126-107, with James finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and nine assists as the team improved to 7-1. Maxey was also part of the fun, sharing a dance with James after his own and-one score.
James said the playful moments matter over a long season. "Listen, it's a long marathon. If you don't find ways to have fun throughout it, even though you're working, even though you're locked in, then it could wear on you," he said. "So for me, especially at this point in my career too, being able to just appreciate the moments, the small moments."
The Sixers next face the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, the team that handed them their only loss so far.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing