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LeBron James played spoiler against the New York Knicks on their championship banner night in his first game of his unprecedented 24th NBA season, but not before getting into a war of words with a fan.
Late in the second quarter, Jalen Brunson was shooting free throws as the brand-new Philadelphia 76ers star got heated with someone sitting near the sidelines.
It's not clear what provoked James to get angry, but it seems like it had to do with where he's from and/or previously lived.
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LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the New York Knicks on Oct. 20, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
"Ain't nothing soft in the Midwest, I don't know what the f--- you talking about," James, an Akron, Ohio, native said.
The conversation took a turn when James, who just got finished playing eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, mentioned what is now his former home.
"I'm not from the west coast, I'm from Ohio baby. I'm not a midwest kid - I'm an Ohio baby. F--- is you talking about?"
The NBC broadcast, via the New York Post, said that the exchange came as fans were taunting James over his helicopter use, which has become rather controversial. James’ brand deal with Fanatics includes use of the company’s corporate aviation, and he has been using it to commute from his new home in New York to Philadelphia for practices.
James recently said it was "just another way of transportation."
LeBron James No. 23 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a jump shot during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, 2026, in New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made clear that there was no reason to be concerned about either the arrangement between James and Fanatics or potential salary-cap circumvention.
"He has a deal with Fanatics," Silver said just hours before the Detroit Pistons rallied for a comeback win over the Boston Celtics to tip off the new season. " . . . Part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever."
Naturally, James' first game of the season was at Madison Square Garden, so he had a much shorter commute.
LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers shake hands during the third quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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After signing with the Sixers in free agency, James decided his primary residence would be in the country's largest city. He is not the first NBA player to do so while playing for Philadelphia. Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick also lived in New York during his two seasons with the Sixers. But James’ decision to make the routine trip by helicopter has drawn particular attention.
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OutKick's Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
