LeBron James has returned to Cleveland many times since leaving the Cavaliers, but Wednesday night felt different, and everyone inside Rocket Arena knew it.
The standing ovation James received during pregame introductions lingered longer than usual, and the emotion hit harder than ever.
“The moment they put up [the tribute video], the Detroit game, looking up in the rafters and I saw our championship banner [from Cleveland’s 2016 NBA title] … it was a lot of reflection,” James said after the game. “Being present in the moment. It got to me a little bit for sure. I was super thankful.”
Throughout the night, James repeatedly lowered his head, wiping away tears with his jersey, later reaching for a paper towel before play resumed.
He finished the game with 11 points and five assists, but the box score barely mattered.
“Because it could be [my last season]. I haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be [my final game in Cleveland],” James admitted. “No matter if it’s here or in Washington playing in our next game, or in the Barclays on this road trip. Obviously, it means more here for me personally because I grew up 35 miles south of here.”
He later added, “The question gets asked more, and the thought creeps into my mind more at 41 years old,” James said. “Of when the end is and where the finish line is when it comes to hanging this thing up. I’m in a battle with Father Time, and I’m taking it personally — seeing how many times I can be victorious over him. But I won’t be one of those guys who won’t be able to walk off the court. That’s for sure.”
The moment carried even more weight with family present.
“It was pretty cool just sitting over there and watching [Bronny] continue to live out his dream,” James said. “My mom was here watching her son and her grandson. I don’t even know how to wrap that all into one in my brain. It’s so weird and so cool and so surreal.”
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