Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James might play in the biggest market nationwide, but he made clear his love for his hometown Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.
James made a fashion statement with a very special outfit choice for the Lakers game against the Denver Nuggets, sitting on the sideline while nursing a groin injury.
The Lakers star showed up to the Lakers' game against the Nuggets wearing a custom Blue Jackets Stadium Series with the No. 23 stitched on it, the same threads the team wore during their Stadium Series matchup against the Detroit Red Wings on March 1.
The Blue Jackets' official account quickly reacted to the clip, commenting, "No debate: LeBron is the [goat emoji]."
No debate: LeBron is the https://t.co/cSR2oJI6Zb
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 20, 2025
James, an Akron, Ohio native, has long shown support for teams from his home state, and his decision to rep the Blue Jackets comes as Columbus remains in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The team sits three points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth as they push for their first postseason appearance since 2020.
New Lebron GIF pic.twitter.com/eitG3RbXiP
— David Portillo (@DPORTILLO_0) March 20, 2025
The four-time NBA MVP's jersey choice was widely noticed, with fans quickly capturing different moments showing James wearing it.
Some debated whether LeBron was officially hopping on the Blue Jackets' bandwagon without having much knowledge of the team, or if he was actually showing his true love for Columbus' NHL team.
"He 100 percent can't name 1 player," one user said.
"Only LeBron would wear his own number," another chimed in.
LeCoach
LeBron coaching from the sidelines during Nuggets vs. Lakers. pic.twitter.com/kkgfqYl6a0
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 20, 2025
The NBA on ESPN account also shared a clip of James giving orders to his teammates during the game from the sidelines, fully clad in Columbus gear and a pair of camo pants.
Unaffiliated Blue Jackets account "The CBJ Center" on X got its hands on a couple of pics showing James' jersey in detail, showing a humongous cannon stitched on its front.
The . #CBJhttps://t.co/IfHugZdr4kpic.twitter.com/I4Riuip6pb
— The CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) March 20, 2025
The Lakers, without James and Rui Hachimura on Wednesday, dominated the short-handed Nuggets 120-108 behind Luka Doncic's 31-point performance.
Denver was missing their two best players in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, however, and the Lakers took full advantage, winning their ninth straight home game.
The Lakers will be back in action Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Blue Jackets continue their postseason chase with their next game on Friday.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 2:31 AM.