Denzel Washington Stuns Fans by Casually Walking Onto Court to Greet LeBron James
Denzel Washington stole the spotlight at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night, February 5, 2026, when he took a casual stroll across the basketball court to greet LeBron James. Fans were left stunned and shocked as the legendary actor, a long-time fixture at Los Angeles Lakers games, bypassed the usual courtside etiquette.
While the Lakers were warming up for their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, Washington stood up from his front-row seat and beelined toward the bench.
The interaction, which quickly went viral on social media, showed Washington walking with a calm confidence that few others could pull off in such a high-stakes environment. He ignored the cheers and cameras to reach James, who was in the middle of preparing for the game. Once they met, the two icons shared a warm handshake and a brief embrace, looking like old friends catching up despite the thousands of eyes watching.
Only Denzel can do some s*** like this lol!!* one fan commented on X, echoing the sentiments of many who couldn’t believe the actor’s unfettered access to the King. Another onlooker noted that the move felt entirely earned given Washington’s status as a Hollywood titan. Denzel is such a baller, on and off the court, wrote one reporter, highlighting how the moment briefly turned a regular season game into a cinematic event.
LeBron James seemed genuinely pleased by the surprise visit, smiling broadly as he spoke with Washington for a few moments before the actor returned to his seat. The mutual respect between the two stars was palpable, and it provided a massive energy boost to the arena before tip-off. James went on to lead the Lakers to a 119–115 victory that night, proving that a little motivation from a two-time Oscar winner might be the secret sauce for a win.
Aside from his courtside appearances, Denzel Washington has been keeping an incredibly busy professional schedule as he enters 2026. He recently starred in thriller Highest 2 Lowest, a contemporary reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low.
Washington is also preparing for a monumental shift into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he has been confirmed for a major role in the highly anticipated Black Panther 3. Director Ryan Coogler reportedly wrote a specific part for the actor, fulfilling a long-held dream for both the filmmaker and fans of the franchise.
Do you think Denzel Washington’s casual “court-walk” is a testament to his untouchable status in Los Angeles, or should even A-list celebrities have to wait for the post-game buzzer to greet their favorite players? Share your thoughts in the comments.