Denzel Washington Turns Heads by Walking Casually Onto Court to Say Hi to LeBron James
Denzel Washington turned heads at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night, February 5, when he casually walked across the basketball court to greet LeBron James. Fans watching the Los Angeles Lakers warm up for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers were stunned as the legendary actor left his front-row seat and strolled straight toward the bench, bypassing the usual courtside rules.
Washington approached James with a calm confidence, and the moment quickly went viral on social media. The two icons shared a warm handshake and a brief hug, looking like old friends catching up despite thousands of eyes on them.
Only Denzel can do some s** like this lol!! a fan wrote on X, capturing the disbelief of many. Another observer commented, Denzel is such a baller, on and off the court, highlighting how the encounter turned an ordinary game into a cinematic moment.
LeBron seemed genuinely happy to see Washington, smiling as the two spoke for a few minutes before the actor returned to his seat. The Lakers carried that energy onto the court, eventually winning 119–115, proving that a little motivation from a two-time Oscar winner doesn’t hurt.
Outside of basketball appearances, Washington has been keeping busy in 2026. He recently starred in Spike Lee’s thriller Highest 2 Lowest, a modern take on Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low.
Washington is also making his way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a role in Black Panther 3. Director Ryan Coogler reportedly wrote a part specifically for him. Ryan Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next Black Panther, Washington shared in a recent interview, noting that he is focusing on projects with top-tier creators.
His casual court stroll is a reminder of Washington’s untouchable status in Hollywood. Fans and observers alike were impressed by his confidence and charm, which feel effortless whether he’s on a movie set or courtside at a Lakers game.
Do you think Denzel Washington’s walk across the court shows he’s untouchable in Los Angeles, or should even A-list stars wait until after the game to greet players? Share your thoughts in the comments.
