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Updated 22/10/2026 - 12:30CDT
LeBron James may have changed teams, but he has not left his traditions behind. One of the most iconic is his pregame chalk toss, a ritual that fans and cameras look forward to before every game. With phones and photographers pointed in his direction, James was ready for another signature moment, but one of his new teammates accidentally got in the way.
Instead of capturing the perfect shot of LeBron, the cameras caught Tyrese Maxey walking right in front of him. The Philadelphia 76ers guard did not realize the videographer was ready to record the ritual, and his unexpected appearance turned the moment into an unplanned photobomb. What could have been a ruined video ended up being even better than anyone could have planned, quickly making the rounds on social media.
Maxey later took to social media to apologize for what happened, acknowledging that he was the one at fault. The guard also admitted that he still needs some time to get used to LeBron’s iconic pregame routine. His accidental interruption gave fans a different look at a moment they have seen countless times, and the clip quickly went viral.
There appears to be no bad blood between the teammates after the incident. In fact, James has spoken highly of Maxey, describing him as one of the fastest players in the league, whether he has the ball or not. LeBron has also highlighted how Maxey’s speed and ability to keep attacking defenses can be key to the team.
James has praised Maxey’s ability to maintain his pace throughout a game, noting that he rarely seems to get tired. He believes the guard’s speed, both with and without the ball, can help the team put constant pressure on opposing defenses.
Maxey may not have looked quite as quick when it came to getting out of the way of LeBron’s cameras, but his mistake delivered another memorable video. What was supposed to be James’ signature pregame moment became a viral clip starring his teammate, who had to own up to the mishap afterward.