Lakers fall to Cavaliers in emotional return to Cleveland for LeBron James

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times on Jan 28, 2026

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CLEVELAND — Lakers teammates and coaches clapped. LeBron James stared stoically at the video board. Instead of acknowledging the Cleveland crowd showering the Lakers star with applause after a video tribute on Monday, James lifted his jersey over his face.

He wiped his eyes.

More than two decades after the Cavaliers drafted him first overall in 2003, James returned to his hometown and had one of his worst games ever as an opponent in Cleveland. He finished with 11 points, five assists and six turnovers in the Lakers’ 129-99 blowout loss, while Luka Doncic shook off a first-quarter injury scare to lead the team with 29 points, five assists and five rebounds.

The Cavaliers (29-26) played a video tribute for James in the first quarter, finishing the montage of his career with the message “Welcome Home.” James clutched the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the final image.

The video tribute played during a tense moment for the Lakers’ bench as Doncic had just hobbled off the court with what looked like a serious leg injury. The star guard had slipped off the side of the court and into the Lakers’ bench after shooting a fadeaway 3-pointer with 7:58 remaining in the first quarter. Doncic was hopping backwards on one leg after he took the shot and fell off the edge of the court. He immediately grabbed at his lower left leg. The Lakers needed to call a timeout for trainers to help Doncic to his feet. He hobbled toward the locker room, putting almost no weight on his left leg.

Cleveland’s home court is raised above the arena floor to accommodate for an ice hockey rink underneath. It’s the only arena in the NBA with the unique set up. Miami Heat guard Dru Smith suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament sprain from slipping off the court in 2023.

Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, returned with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter without any additional braces or wraps on his leg. He finished the first half as the Lakers’ leading scorer with 15 points and five assists, but the team still trailed by two.

The Cavaliers shot a sizzling 53.8% from the field in the second quarter to turn a four-point first-quarter deficit into a two-point halftime lead, 57-55. They made seven of 11 3-pointers in the third quarter and outscored the Lakers by 20 in the frame. James was subbed off midway through the fourth as the rout continued.

James missed a point-blank layup on his first shot. The sigh of disappointment from the packed crowd was almost louder than the polite applause he received when he was introduced in the starting lineup.

The TV outside the visitor’s locker room cycled through photos of Lakers players and staff members who have history in Cleveland. Bronny James, who was born in Cleveland while his father played for the Cavaliers, was welcomed with a photo of him sitting on stage during the Cavaliers’ championship celebration in 2016.

His homecoming came with eight points, including two 3-pointers and a one-handed dunk.