After a crushing early playoff exit, you’d think LeBron James would be lying low this offseason. But instead, James is doing what he does best, commanding the spotlight and stirring the pot.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2024–25 postseason with a solid 50-32 record and high expectations. Many believed the team had the pieces for a deep playoff run. But those dreams were quickly dashed when the Lakers were knocked out in the First Round by the surging Minnesota Timberwolves in a dominant 4-1 series.
It was a disappointing finish for James, especially considering the momentum the Lakers had built late in the regular season. Yet weeks after his own team’s elimination, James found himself back in the headlines, not for his on-court performance, but for a cheeky comment aimed at another fan base.
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LeBron James Takes Subtle Jab at the New York Knicks Fanbase
On June 21, James made an appearance at the much-anticipated Fanatics Fest. During the live segment of the “Mind the Game” podcast, James took a moment to poke fun at New York Knicks fans.
In a lighthearted but pointed remark, he looked out at the audience and asked if they were doing all right after the Knicks’ playoff exit.
“Knicks fans, y’all good?” James asked. “Y’all going to the Finals next year?”
LeBron James:
“Knicks fans, y’all good? You going to the Finals next year?” 💀
(via @LakeShowYo, @FanaticsFest)pic.twitter.com/IcRtvo8tQL
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 21, 2025
That wasn’t the only headline-worthy moment from Fanatics Fest. Before the “Mind the Game” segment, James also appeared on “The Shop: Uninterrupted,” joining a high-powered panel that included NFL legend Tom Brady, NBA rising star Victor Wembanyama and streaming sensation Kai Cenat.
“You can’t retire, you can’t retire, gang, I can’t imagine,” Cenat said to James during that segment.
As for the Knicks, their 2024–25 campaign was a rollercoaster. They entered the playoffs with a strong 51-31 record, took down the Detroit Pistons, and stunned the Boston Celtics, winning both series 4-2. It was their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2000.
But the dream run ended against the Indiana Pacers. Despite a valiant effort and a red-hot series from Jalen Brunson, who averaged 30.7 points per game, the Knicks fell 4-2. The elimination was followed by a major shake-up as head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired on June 3.
As for James, even with the Lakers’ early exit, he put up another strong stat line: 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game. He might not be playing in June, but he’s still giving fans plenty to talk about.