A brief sideline moment at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game drew unexpected attention when LeBron James walked past Stephen Curry without acknowledging him. Fans immediately flooded social media with theories about the interaction.
The All-Star Weekend, meant to celebrate the league’s top talent on one court, instead featured a clip dissected by thousands.
Curry, sidelined with a runner’s knee, stood near the bench to greet players leaving the game.
“It’s always a pleasure and an honor to see those guys,” James said later.
“We’ve had so much of an unbelievable journey throughout our individual careers. When it comes to me, Steph and KD, we’ll be interlocked for the rest of our careers.”
An awkward moment or innocent oversight?
During the Team Stars versus Team Stripes matchup at Intuit Dome, Curry extended his hand for a dap as James walked by.
Instead of reciprocating, James moved past and greeted Kawhi Leonard, then glanced back at Curry, fueling fan debate.
Some viewers recalled the historic Finals between the two, particularly the Cavaliers‘ 3-1 comeback against Curry‘s Warriors in 2016, wondering if the moment hinted at lingering tension.
Others argued the clip was simply a sideline oversight, typical in a chaotic All-Star environment.
The exchange lasted only seconds, but the timing magnified it. With All-Star formats already scrutinized and rivalries like Kevin Durant‘s stirring headlines, even split-second gestures between legends attracted intense attention from fans and media.
LeBron hails Steph Curry and Kevin Durant era
LeBron has faced Curry and Durant in four NBA Finals matchups with the Warriors, with Golden State winning three of those.
Their battles have reshaped perceptions of team-building, spacing, and modern offense in the league.
Curry‘s three championships and two MVPs, combined with Durant‘s four Finals appearances and two NBA Finals MVPs, underline the historical impact of this trio.
As for James, his four NBA titles and four MVPs anchor the narrative from the other side.
“We’ve shared highs, lows, championships, heartbreaks, and rivalries,” LeBron said. “It’s been a privilege to compete with them and to watch the game evolve alongside them.”
Fans continue to debate the sideline moment, but the context reminds everyone that these athletes have a shared legacy spanning nearly two decades.
At times, that rivalry is likely to present itself, whether intentional or not. But mutual respect between these star athletes certainly hasn’t disappeared.
Read the full article here
