During a timeout in the first quarter, the Cavaliers played a 90-second video that began with highlights from Cleveland’s 2016 championship. It spent more time on LeBron James’ work in the community, ending with footage from the I Promise School, which his foundation helped open and has heavily financed.
As those letters appeared on the screen, James pointed up at the crowd and walked back onto the court. He beat his chest in acknowledgement a few times before pointing again while the Drake song “Forever” played on the speakers.
James’ Lakers beat the Cavaliers behind his 32 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter, in his first trip to Quicken Loans Arena as a Laker.