LeBron James Reveals What Made Him Sip A Fan’s Wine During Philadelphia 76ers' Win Against Chicago Bulls

LeBron James takes a sip of a 76ers fan’s wine during the game© Instagram/kingjames

LeBron James ran into the crowd during the third quarter Monday night, bumped a fan holding a cup of wine and took a sip before heading back to the floor. The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 126-107 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, and the moment became the talk of the night. The 41-year-old has built a name as one of the league's best-known wine lovers, so the scene fit. What he said afterward about the taste was blunter than most would expect.

Why Did LeBron James Sip A Fan's Wine Against The Bulls?

LeBron James chased an outlet pass on a fastbreak, could not catch it, and his momentum carried him into the seats. He crashed into a fan in a Sixers jacket who was holding a plastic cup. Some of the drink spilled. He took a sip, then jogged back to play.

ESPN's Kris Rhim spoke with the fan during the game and confirmed the drink was wine. Rhim then caught up with the forward in the locker room, where James gave his review.

“I spilled some of his wine, so I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm, how good it was,” James said with a wry smile. “It was aight. It was aight.”

The review was short, but the wine faced a tough judge. Few players know vintages the way the four-time MVP does, and a cup poured at an arena is rarely going to compete with a cellar bottle.

Nothing slowed him down afterward. Cross-court outlet passes set up VJ Edgecombe for two dunks, and Edgecombe finished with 21 points. Late in the game, James hit a shot and danced a little. He ended with 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and he looked like a player enjoying his night.

How Are The 76ers Playing To Start The Season?

Philadelphia is 7-1 and has the best record in the Eastern Conference after a fourth straight win. James joined the team in July, and the roster around him is full of talent. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 26 points. Jaylen Brown had 25, and Joel Embiid scored 15 in only 25 minutes. Coach Nick Nurse is limiting Embiid's playing time because of a plantar fascia injury in his right foot.

All five starters reached double figures. The group is still learning how to fit together, yet the results have come quickly. Against a young Bulls team, the 76ers played loose for most of the night and never looked pressed.

James tied the mood to the length of the schedule.

“It's a long marathon, and if you don't find ways to have fun, even though you're working and you're locked in, it can wear on you,” James said. “For me, especially at this part in my career, too, just appreciating the moments, the small moments. These fans are great to us, and we try to be great to them as well by playing the game the right way, playing the game hard, and then also being showmen, as well,” the NBA legend added.