LeBron James explains why he took a sip of fan’s wine during 76ers game “I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm and how good it was. It was all right. The season is a long marathon: if you don’t find ways to have fun throughout it, even though you’re working and locked in, it can wear on you”
LeBron James had an unexpected and playful interaction with a courtside fan as he continues his new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In the third quarter of Monday’s matchup between the 76ers and Chicago Bulls, James chased a loose pass near the baseline but lost his balance and crashed into the courtside seats. He accidentally spilled a fan’s drink but quickly apologized, picked up the cup, and took a quick sip before returning to the court to play defense.
The moment quickly went viral on social media as James and the 76ers went on to secure a 126-107 victory.
It was later revealed that the drink James sipped was wine.
According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, the fan, Troy Clemons, said James apologized after the collision, playfully took a sip of what remained in the cup, and handed it back before returning to the game.
Clemons took the incident in good spirits, laughed it off, and eventually threw away the cup to buy a fresh drink.
“I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm and how good it was,” James explained. “It was all right.”
For James, having plenty of playful moments with fans still matters amid the intensity and seriousness of the game.
“It’s a long marathon. If you don’t find ways to have fun throughout it, even though you’re working and locked in, it can wear on you,” James told reporters after the game regarding the incident. “For me, especially at this point in my career, being able to appreciate the moments, even the small ones, is important. These fans are great to us, and we try to be great to them as well by playing the game the right way, playing hard, and also being showmen.
“But it was a great, great, great day for us. We continue to build and get better.”