SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Before the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James spent quality time with his 11-year-old daughter, Zhuri, at the Chase Center.
The pair engaged in a light-hearted shooting session as James prepared for the matchup.
This memorable moment took place after James completed his warmup for the Lakers, who ultimately won the game 129-101. Zhuri, who is also a skilled volleyball player, expressed her enjoyment of the experience, highlighting the rarity of such opportunities during road games.
Zhuri’s Shooting Session
During their time on the court, Zhuri attempted an over-the-head shot from the free-throw line, finally succeeding after several tries. Her father offered encouragement, which helped her find her rhythm. Zhuri commented on her success, saying, “I don’t know what the trick was to finally make the backward free throw, I tried to make sure I was in front of the basket.”
Family Bonding Before the Game
As they practiced, Zhuri dribbled alongside her father, who smiled at her efforts. After demonstrating her skills by taking shots from various positions, she shared that this was a fun experience, particularly since she had not traveled with the team for previous road games.
LeBron’s Reflections
James remarked on the significance of having his daughter on the road with him, noting, “She’s a good-luck charm. First road trip in my career that she’s been on besides All-Star Weekend and stuff like that.” He added that while she sometimes joins him at home games, it is not frequent.
Before heading to the locker room, Zhuri threw an alley-oop pass to her father, who completed the play with a slam dunk. The pair exchanged a heartfelt handshake, and James told her, “love you,” before he prepared for the game.
Impact on the Game
Once the game commenced, James quickly found his groove, making 7 of 10 shots and all four of his three-point attempts in the first half, contributing to a 65-47 lead at halftime. He concluded the game with 22 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
Post-game, James reflected on the importance of family time amidst his lengthy career, stating, “Over the course of my career, any time I got moments with them either individually, two of them, three of them all together, whatever the case may be, it’s always special for me.” He expressed gratitude for the time spent with Zhuri, which included visits to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge the day before the game.