LeBron James Tears Up During Possible Last NBA Game

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LeBron James’ latest trip to Cleveland was a slam dunk.

During a game in Cleveland on January 28th, the Lakers player appeared to be emotional, even wiping away tears, possibly knowing it could be his final NBA game in the city. Cleveland fans and the Cavaliers organization showed their appreciation for the 41-year-old with a special video celebrating his 11 seasons with the team.

LeBron James seemed deeply moved by something he saw on video, and was seen wiping away tears with his jersey as he returned to finish the game. The Cavaliers went on to win against the Lakers with a final score of 129-99. However, James didn’t confirm whether he plans to retire at the end of the current season.

After the game, he told ESPN reporters he’s trying to appreciate every moment, knowing this season might be his last. He hasn’t decided what the future holds, but he’s aware this could be his final season.

The 23-year NBA veteran explained that many of the emotions he experienced while watching the highlight reel came from simply being fully focused on the moment.

He said he felt more focused and engaged today compared to previous visits to Cleveland. He admitted it had affected him emotionally, saying, ‘It definitely got to me a little bit.’

It was an incredible experience,” Bronny said, according to ESPN. “Hearing the crowd chant ‘We want Bronny!’ felt different than usual, and I was just thrilled to get out on the court and play. I’m always prepared to play, no matter how loud the crowd is – or isn’t.

Oh my gosh, seeing LeBron with Bronny was EVERYTHING! It was such a special moment, especially knowing Savannah and the whole family – Bryce and little Zhuri too – were all there cheering him on. And to have LeBron’s mom, Gloria, in the stands? Seriously, it was the perfect family scene watching him and Bronny play together. I was practically crying!

LeBron said it just hit him how amazing it is that his mother gets to watch both him and his son playing in the NBA simultaneously. He called it ‘insane’ and ‘awesome’.

For a look at more sports stars who have followed in their family’s footsteps, keep reading. 

It was an incredible experience,” Bronny said to ESPN. “Hearing the crowd chant ‘We want Bronny!’ felt different than usual, and I was just thrilled to get on the court and play. I’m always prepared to play, no matter how loud the crowd is – or isn’t.

LeBron was thrilled to have his 21-year-old son join him, and it made the moment even more special that his wife, Savannah James, and their other children – 18-year-old Bryce and 11-year-old Zhuri – were there too. His mother, Gloria James, was also in the stands to watch them play together.

LeBron recently realized how amazing it is that his mother gets to see both him and his son playing in the NBA simultaneously. He said, “It’s just incredible to think about.”

For a look at more sports stars who have followed in their family’s footsteps, keep reading. 

Many people consider him the best basketball player ever, so it wasn’t surprising when his sons, Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan, decided to pursue basketball themselves. After playing in high school, Jeffrey went on to play college ball at the University of Illinois and the University of Central Florida, hoping to make a name for himself outside of his famous father’s legacy.

In 2005, Jeffrey told The Washington Post that he knew he wasn’t among the best players in his state, but he was determined to prove he deserved to compete and wasn’t just relying on his reputation.

While studying at UCF, Marcus also played basketball, and he says his father was instrumental in helping him find his direction in life.

He shared advice whenever I needed it, but mostly he emphasized the importance of staying focused and working hard daily, believing that effort would eventually lead to success, he told The Gainesville Sun in 2011.

Bronny James (born LeBron James Jr. on October 6, 2004) played high school basketball at Sierra Canyon in the San Fernando Valley and later went on to attend the University of Southern California.

LeBron’s busy NBA schedule has often made it difficult for him to attend all of his son Bronny’s games, but he’s always made a real effort to be there. For example, he once rented a private plane on a day off just to watch Bronny’s team, Sierra Canyon, play against his old high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, in Akron, Ohio.

LeBron told reporters that watching his son play against his former college team was a remarkably special and emotional experience, feeling like things had come full circle.

In June 2024, Bronny James was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, creating an unprecedented moment: he and his father, LeBron James, became the first father-son pair to play in the NBA simultaneously.

LeBron James’s younger son, Bryce James, began his college basketball career at the University of Arizona in 2025.

 

And rounding out the incredible Sierra Canyon team? Zaire Wade, LeBron James’ son, who’s quickly becoming a star in his own right. It’s amazing to watch these young athletes follow in their famous parents’ footsteps, and Zaire definitely has the potential to be something special. As a lifestyle expert, I’m always excited to see the next generation of talent emerge!

Zaire, who joined the team in December 2019 after transferring from Florida, explained to Yahoo! Sports that they’re getting used to all the attention. He said cameras follow them everywhere, and while he’s experienced a lot of media focus throughout his life, this is unlike anything he’s seen before – it’s on a completely different scale.

In April 2020, Zaire announced on Instagram that he was transferring to Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, Florida, because he wasn’t getting enough playing time.

Zaire was selected 10th overall in the 2021 NBA G League draft by the Salt Lake City Stars. He later played for the Cape Town Tigers in the Basketball Africa League and, in April 2024, signed with a team in the ASEAN Basketball League.

 

Former football star Cha’iel Johnson might be surpassed by his own daughter’s athletic achievements. She’s a talented track and field runner who won the girls’ 800-meter race at the 2017 AAU Junior Olympics when she was just 12 years old.

Oh my gosh, even before she was a Wildcat, she was amazing! She absolutely crushed it running for St. Thomas Aquinas High School back in Florida. I’ve been following her since then, and then, of course, she took her talent to the University of Kentucky – it was incredible to watch her join their athletics team! Seriously, she was destined for greatness even back then.

 

One of the NBA Hall of Famer’s children, who stands 6-foot-10, played college basketball at UCLA. However, his career was interrupted by a heart problem that needed surgery.

He didn’t play during the 2018-19 season after leaving his first school and then transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU). LSU famously honors its alumni, including Shaq, with a 900-pound bronze statue of him located outside the basketball practice facility.

After finishing his college basketball career at LSU in 2022, the player joined the NBA G League Ignite, a team designed to develop young basketball talent.

 

Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter, who is 6-foot-2, decided to attend Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2020 to play basketball alongside her brother, Shareef O’Neal.

Choosing what to do after high school is a really big decision, and I’ve made mine! I’m a little nervous about what the future holds, but I’m definitely up for the challenge. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve committed to LSU, where I’ll be a student athlete alongside my brother, Shareef O’Neal. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spend the next four years as a Tiger!

She joined the basketball team at Texas Southern University for the 2021-2022 season.

 

The oldest daughter of a two-time NBA All-Star played basketball with Izela Arenas, daughter of Gilbert Arenas, while they both attended Sierra Canyon school.

As someone who’s observed a lot of coaches and athletes, let me tell you what I learned from my time at Michigan State with Tom Izzo. He was a tough, no-nonsense coach – the kind who really pushed his players. He definitely had a different approach with the men versus the women. With the guys, he could be really direct and demanding. But the women? They had a way of connecting with him, of showing their effort and vulnerability. He clearly had a soft spot for them and a different kind of connection, understanding they needed a different kind of support.

MacKenly joked that she’d won against her dad in one-on-one matchups three times, adding that he doesn’t bother with defense.

Terique, the 6’3″ son of an NFL Hall of Famer, initially joined Florida Atlantic University’s football team as a walk-on in 2019. He spent most of his youth playing basketball before deciding to focus on football as a teenager. He first played college football at Contra Costa Community College before transferring to FAU.

After his college football career, Terique signed with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad.

A standout player from Sierra Canyon High School, he was a four-year starter and led his team to two state championships. He then played college basketball at Vanderbilt University before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022 with a two-way contract.

In 2024, Scotty Jr. signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies that allows him to play for both the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, after a short time playing for the South Bay Lakers.

Michael Jordan, the legendary Chicago Bulls player and five-time NBA champion, is also a father.

Dennis Rodman Jr., also known as DJ, was a high school athlete at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California, playing both basketball and football. He initially played college basketball at Washington State University before transferring to the University of Southern California in 2023.

After a game in 2017, his high school coach, Ryan Schachter, told the Orange County Register that he was a talented player in Southern California who hadn’t gotten much recognition.

After his college career, DJ joined Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League in 2024.

While Dennis Rodman’s son followed in his footsteps by playing basketball, his daughter, Trinity Rodman, chose a different sport: soccer. Her first season of college soccer was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she quickly turned professional, joining the Washington Spirit in 2021 and the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2022.

In 2024, Trinity won Olympic gold as part of Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

 

It’s not surprising that Tiger Woods’ son is a talented golfer. Charlie Woods first appeared on television playing golf with his father at the 2020 PNC Championship when he was just 11 years old.

When asked if he’d been practicing his golf swing before playing with his son, the 15-time major champion said he hadn’t. He explained that his own game wasn’t a priority – he just wanted his son to have a great time and enjoy the experience.

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2026-01-29 23:18