Kembali
The Philadelphia 76ers came back from 13 points down to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-109 on Wednesday night. The hosts had built that lead with a 36-13 third quarter, but Tyrese Maxey led the way with 27 points to help Philadelphia get over the line and improve to 4-1.
However, the play that took off online came long before the finish. Pacers forward Jalen Slawson chased down LeBron James for a block in the second quarter, then appeared to apologize to the 76ers star. The clip spread quickly and continued drawing reactions from the NBA community.
The teams traded blows through an even first quarter that ended 25-25. With 11:51 left on the clock in the second quarter, James went for an open layup with Slawson on his heels.
As the 76ers star went up for the layup, Slawson, who came off the bench, caught up to James and swatted the shot away. It was a role reversal for one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The chase-down block has long been a James signature, especially in his prime, and this time the veteran forward was on the receiving end. But what happened next set the clip apart.
Hater Report shared the footage Wednesday night, writing: “No way man. Jalen Slawson apologized to LeBron after chasing him down and blocking his shot.”
Another hoops fan zeroed in on the apology rather than the block and claimed, “Apologizing is actually more disrespectful than just flexing on him.”
For others, the moment said more about James than about Slawson, as one user turned to the four-time MVP’s future: “That’s that old man moment when you realize it’s time to hang it up.”
Another fan struck a similar note in a separate post, writing, “It’s really almost over.”
“Lol you’re so old that dudes apologizing for busting your [expletive]. It’s time to retire,” another user posted.
The rest of James’ night gave a fuller picture. In 33 minutes, he posted a double-double with 13 points on 5-for-12 shooting and 10 assists, adding 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks of his own without a turnover.
That production came in a win that left the 76ers tied with the Detroit Pistons (4-1) for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Slawson’s rejection came in a limited role, and he did not attempt a field goal in 12 minutes, finishing with 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, and 3 fouls. His block was one of only two by the Pacers on the night, and his plus-8 plus-minus was the best mark of any Indiana player.
James and the 76ers return home to host the New York Knicks (2-3) on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Philadelphia and Indiana meet twice more in November, first on Nov. 15 in Philadelphia and again on Nov. 27 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where Slawson and James could share the floor again.