It was a bittersweet night for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, combined with a tough outing for his son Bronny James, made for a difficult moment. However, the night took a more uplifting turn after the game when LeBron shared a heartfelt exchange with the mother of a former NBA All-Star.
As the Lakers struggled against the Sixers, LeBron led the team in an effort to keep them competitive. However, JJ Redick pointed out that Bronny James didn’t perform as expected. The Lakers also faced an uphill battle without Anthony Davis, who was limited to just 10 minutes of action.
Despite the disappointing result, LeBron was met with a surprise at the end of the game from Allen Iverson’s mother, Ann Iverson. She reconnected with James and reminisced about the time her son watched him play back in 2002, before LeBron had even entered the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cameras captured the emotional embrace between James and Ann Iverson after the game. She reflected on LeBron and Allen’s early years before they became NBA stars. “I was talking to your manager—she’s out of town—but I told her about the time you all started playing. I didn’t care if nobody else saw you guys. I stood by the locker room, and you all came out with your shorts and everything,” she recalled.
![Allen Iverson, former NBA player.](https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250129_BUS_324115_allen_iversonx_nbajpeg_242310155-1-1024x631_e3a0b989.webp&width=1024&height=631)
Allen Iverson, former NBA player.
LeBron’s gesture toward Allen Iverson’s mother
Beyond their conversation, LeBron also showed a heartfelt gesture toward Ann Iverson. She asked him to sign several family photos, and without hesitation, James autographed each one. He then carefully placed them in a safe spot, ensuring they were well-preserved.
![LeBron James owns the rivalry against Stephen Curry, says former NBA champion](https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20250129_BUS_323690_LeBron-James-Stephen-Curyr.webp&width=200&height=200)
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LeBron also took a photo with Iverson’s mother, creating a lasting memory. The moment quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising his humility and appreciation for those who supported him early in his career. As Ann Iverson recalled, she witnessed LeBron’s first steps on the court long before he became one of the NBA’s greatest players.
LeBron reflects on Lakers’ loss to Sixers
Following the Lakers’ tough loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron shared his thoughts on the game. Speaking to the media, he addressed the impact of Anthony Davis’ early exit and how it affected the team’s performance.
“When our best player goes out, it’s always challenging, especially in the middle of a game,” James said of Davis. Without their star big man and with several teammates struggling, including Bronny, the Lakers couldn’t keep up with the Sixers, who continued their push toward the playoffs.