Known for crediting a daily glass of wine to his incredible longevity, LeBron James got an unexpected taste of his favorite drink right in the middle of a game on Monday night.
During the third quarter of Philadelphia's 126–107 victory over the Chicago Bulls, James dove after a loose ball near the sideline and crashed into courtside fan Troy Clemons. Clemons happened to be holding a cup of red wine, which spilled onto James.
Rather than brushing off the spill, the 76ers star playfully took a quick sip right from his arm:
"I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm, how good it was. It was all right," James joked after the game with a grin.
Clemons, a longtime 76ers season-ticket holder, was completely unfazed by the spill or the lighthearted moment with the superstar, sharing that he was just happy to watch James play.
🍷 High Spirits & Showmanship
The wine moment highlighted what was one of the most playful performances of James' time in Philadelphia. Beyond putting up 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists to help push the 76ers to a 7-1 record, James kept the energy light throughout the night:
On-Court Chemistry: He hit the dance floor with teammate Tyrese Maxey, sharing laughs after key "and-one" plays.
Masterful Playmaking: He dazzled the crowd with pinpoint passes in tight spaces.
It wasn't the first time King James turned an out-of-bounds moment into a beverage break—back in the 2017 Eastern Conference Semifinals, he playfully grabbed a beer bottle from a courtside vendor after a missed layup.
Reflecting on the importance of staying loose during a demanding NBA season, James emphasized the balance between hard work and entertainment:
"If you don't find ways to have fun throughout it... it could wear on you," James said. "For me, especially at this point in my career, it's about appreciating the small moments. These fans are great to us... so we try to play hard and be a showman as well."