President Donald Trump lashed out at NBA superstar LeBron James on Thursday, calling his behaviour during the national anthem disrespectful. Trump shared a video on Truth Social showing James appearing to practise a golf swing and take a jump shot while the anthem played before Philadelphia's season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump wrote, branding the NBA star a "TOTAL DISGRACE" and demanding he apologise to US military personnel who died serving their country. Trump and James have been critical of each other for years, occasionally trading public swipes.
Speaking later at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, Trump repeated the complaint, asking about James's golf swing during the anthem and calling it a "big scandal kind of a story." Sixers coach Nick Nurse said the outside noise would not distract the team, which had stressed tuning out distractions since training camp began.
On the court, Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points and Joel Embiid had 24 as the Sixers overturned a 29-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106. The comeback was the biggest of LeBron James's career, and he finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Philadelphia had already opened the season with a win over the NBA champion Knicks.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing