LeBron James reduced a fan to tears for all the right reasons on Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers sealed a 117-108 victory over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena but James’s presence alone was enough to make one young supporter’s night.
The Lakers icon was caught making a heartwarming gesture following the game after emotional scenes played out courtside earlier in the evening.
The 40-year-old was captured walking over to the sideline during Wednesday’s game when the television broadcast captured the sweet reaction of a girl sat behind him.
The young fan, dressed in a James jersey, instantly burst into tears at seeing her idol and covered her mouth in disbelief, sending her family members into fits of laughter.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer, was completely oblivious to the tearful display unfolding behind him until he was made aware of the moment at halftime.
LeBron James made a young fan cry during the Lakers’ game Wednesday night
The youngster’s reaction sparked a classy gesture from the NBA icon, who sought her out after the game.
James posed for photos with the adorable supporter, who appeared stars-truck as she once again struggled to keep her tears at bay.
‘Thank goodness that I actually looked at my phone at halftime, or I wouldn’t have even seen the reaction when I waved to her in the first half,’ James said postgame.
‘I waved to her, and then I got back to play.
‘So, to have that type of connection with someone, where they can have that type of reaction, I think that’s what it’s all about.
‘And I’ve always tried to be a role model and someone that kids can look up to.
‘Try to make them proud and want to come see me play or if they’re not able to see me play, hopefully some of the things that I do off the floor continue to inspire them.’
James scored 22 points in only the Lakers’ second game back since the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles forced their home fixtures to be postponed.
The Lakers icon sought the youngster out after the game and posed for photos with her
It marked the Lakers second game back after the LA wildfires postponed their schedule
Six fires have erupted across the greater LA area since last Tuesday, killing at least 25 people, displacing thousands of people, and burning more than 12,000 homes and other structures.
Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire, which is the most destructive blaze in LA history, as well as the Eaton and Hurst fires. The three other blazes are now fully contained.
James and his family were forced to flee their own $23million home in Brentwood as the deadly infernos threaten the region.
James said that while the mansion is not damaged, the family is currently staying in a hotel.
‘Personally, I’ve been off,’ James told reporters after his team beat the Heat. ‘Personally, my family, we’ve been evacuated since Thursday night, so I’ve been in a hotel since pretty much when we got back from Dallas. So just figuring it out. But staying strong for one another. Obviously, that’s most important.’
The Lakers star said that family friends had lost their homes in the fires, which have ravaged the city since January 7.
‘I’m very happy that my family is safe, my wife, my three kids, my mom she’s been here. ‘Everyone’s safe, but it’s just been off.’
