LeBron James weekly roundup: Caitlin Clark meetup, senior moments, Charles Barkley claim

Jeremy GoldsteinThu, October 29, 2026 at 9:15 PM UTC

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LeBron James still partakes in his pregame chalk toss -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers' Wednesday night jaunt to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse — a longtime hunting ground of LeBron James — for a matchup against the Tyrese Haliburton-less Indiana Pacers offered plenty of storylines.

James once again played fourth fiddle to the 76ers' trio of high-scoring stars — his 13 points and 12 shots were both the fourth-most among Philadelphia starters — but logged 10 assists in the 113-109 win. His 26.2% usage rate is the lowest of his 24-year career.

Along the way, James reunited with Caitlin Clark, had a series of high-profile senior moments, and faced further criticism for his actions during the National Anthem on opening day. These stories anchor this edition of the LeBron James weekly from Mirror US Sports.

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LeBron James x Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark, with her Indiana Fever already eliminated from the WNBA playoffs, was on hand at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Wednesday's contest and posed for pictures with James post-game.

This isn't her first time meeting Clark: she attended a Los Angeles Lakers game in Indianapolis this spring. "I'm rooting for Caitlin because I've been in that seat before," James said of Clark in 2024 on his 'Mind the Game' podcast. "I've walked that road before. I hope she kills. I hope Aliyah Boston does amazing. I hope they do great."

Both Clark and injured Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton campaigned for James to pull a wild card and join the Pacers this offseason. He didn't.

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Pacers make the King look like a Prince

Unheralded Pacers role player Jalen Slawson, playing due to a rash of injuries, recorded an impressive chase-down block on James... in signature LeBron style. He immediately turned and said something to the dejected King — some lip readers posited it as "I'm sorry, my fault" — to draw a confused look from James.

This wasn't the only unathletic moment from the soon-to-be-42-year-old. He bricked a jump shot off the side of the backboard. Pre-game, following a mini dance with VJ Edgecobe. James badly air-balled a turnaround midrange while guarded by Larry Nance.

The worst moment? For some reason, James found himself guarding shift Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith in space. He was badly crossed over on Nesmith's step-back, but the 76ers veteran avoided total humiliation as the shot clanked off.

• Sophie Cunningham hints at opposing 'thoughts' amid WNBA anthem walkout controversy

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Charles Barkley on LeBron

The chatter around James's opening-night National Anthem antics seemed to be quieting down, a week removed from national discourse in which even Donald Trump weighed in.

The most recent episode of 'Inside the NBA' added one last drop in the James anthem discourse bucket, and from an unlikely source: Charles Barkley.

“I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing a golf swing in the middle of the anthem," the 63-year-old groaned. "I always stand for the anthem. I just think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever where you can always protest, but I think you have to be very careful with the anthem.”

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Source: “AOL Sports”