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LeBron got into it with some Knicks fans at MSG
LeBron James made his debut as a member of the 76ers on Tuesday night and displayed some trademark Philadelphia attitude. The NBA legend got into an altercation with a courtside fan who called him soft.
The Philadelphia 76ers opened their season Tuesday night at MSG against the New York Knicks, who were raising their championship banner and receiving their rings for winning the 2025/26 NBA championship.
The Madison Square Garden crowd — seemingly responding to reports that LeBron considered signing with the New York Knicks — chanted “We don’t want you!” at LeBron.
Then, near the end of the first half, courtside fans started needling him about his helicopter commute between New York and Philadelphia, with Spike Lee reportedly trying to play peacemaker.
LeBron James fired back at a heckling New York Knicks fan during his 76ers debut at Madison Square Garden
Viral video of the moment revealed that LeBron told the hecklers, “Ain’t nothing soft in the midwest.”
“Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest. I’m not from the West Coast, I’m from Ohio, baby. I’m an Ohio baby, f— is you talking about?” LBJ told the loud-mouth fans.
Full audio of LeBron GOING OFF on a Knicks fan who called him soft 😭
“Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest.”
“I’m not from the West Coast, I’m from Ohio, baby. I’m an Ohio baby, f*ck is you talking about?” https://t.co/IGQPTnEX3X
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) October 21, 2026
On the court, the Sixers beat the Knicks 106-100, spoiling the team’s much-anticipated banner celebration. LeBron finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points.
With the offseason acquisitions of LeBron and Jaylen Brown, sportsbooks have the 76ers as the third favorites to win the NBA title with odds of +1000, which is the same as the Knicks. Ahead of the 76ers and Knicks are the Oklahoma City Thunder at +220 and the San Antonio Spurs at +300.