With Donovan Mitchell absent from Cleveland’s Game 4 matchup with the Celtics on Monday, the Cavaliers needed a miracle. They got a king instead.
Hometown hero LeBron James returned to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday, gracing fans with his presence as the team he shined on for 11 seasons took on one he has routinely dueled with over the course of his career.
Murmurs of James’ impending appearance at the stadium were rife ahead of Monday night’s contest, with numerous reports claiming that James — or someone who looked eerily similar to him — was going to make a homecoming at when Boston and Cleveland clashed.
Such whispers were verified mere minutes into the game when James — outfitted in sleek white pants, a jean jacket, and beige Air Force Ones — strutted into the arena alongside his wife Savannah and agent Rich Paul.
LeBron James enters Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and sits courtside next to Rich Paul. pic.twitter.com/PTun4f7QmZ
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) May 13, 2024
Cleveland’s faithful was made aware of King James’ presence moments later when images of his greatest hits with the Cavaliers flashed across the Jumbotron. They responded as one would expect them to, enveloping the four-time MVP in a wall of sound.
The Fieldhouse went crazy for LeBron James sitting courtside with Savannah and Rich Paul. pic.twitter.com/6dGgLJxFl8
— Ashly Holder (@AshNoelleTV) May 13, 2024
Fans give LeBron James and his wife Savannah a standing ovation as they make their way to their courtside seats for Game 4 of Cavs-Celtics 🗣️
(via @Reflog_18)pic.twitter.com/X9t1UYGCsL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 13, 2024
Why is LeBron James at the Cavaliers game?
James’ presence at the Cavaliers’ Game 4 duel with the Celtics is certain to raise some suspicion, especially with James’ future in Tinseltown shrouded in uncertainty. He’s been routinely linked with a return to his adopted hometown for a third time, with many viewing Cleveland’s young core — spotlighted by Evan Mobley, Jonathan Allen, Darius Garland, and, most notably, Mitchell — as being especially alluring to an aging James.
Perhaps that is true, but there are also some practical reasons why James could be at the game. For starters, James is an Akron, Ohio, native. It’s reasonable to believe he still holds ties to the region — as well as some property. It’s believed that James still owns the $ 2.1 million Bath Township mansion he purchased back in 2003. That’s a stone’s throw from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Additionally, a number of Game 4’s participants — including Garland and Tristan Thompson — are signed to Klutch Sports, Rich Paul’s agency. Offering support to a couple of Klutch Sports’ comrades would certainly make sense for James, a true company man through and through.
Regardless, the Cavs will certainly be hoping to put on a strong display in front of their all-time greatest player. And who knows? Maybe, it will be helpful if and when James ever hits the free agency market again.
