Footage taken from the stands showed the apparent conflict

LEBRON James was spotted in a seemingly heated exchange with Stephen A. Smith at court side.

The Los Angeles Lakers star, 40, looked annoyed as he was talking to the ESPN personality.

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LeBron James was spotted having a conversation with Stephen A. Smith and looking animatedCredit: X/@LegendOfWinning

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LeBron James passed 50,000 career points this weekCredit: Reuters
Smith was sat in the first row to watch the Lakers take on the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena.

He just agreed a new $100 million with ESPN earlier in the day.

But it didn’t appear as though James was celebrating the news with him.

Footage taken from the stands captured the moment four-time NBA champion James walked over to Smith.

The pair had an exchange, which Smith confirmed on First Take on Friday.

Smith said, “That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure that I mind what I say about his son.

“I can’t repeat the words because they aren’t suited for airwaves.”

James was animated throughout the stand-off while Smith stood his ground.

One fan claimed, “LeBron wants smoke with Stephen A.”

“You don’t ever see LeBron entertain these things,” another wrote. “Stephen A really must have crossed the line.”
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Smith and James have had a couple of disagreements in recent times.

The ESPN star has previously claimed that Bronny James is only in the NBA because of his dad.

“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be towards LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball,” Smith said on First Take.

“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father. Stop this.

“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”

Just last week, Smith was left “annoyed” by James’ remarks.

The pair engaged in a back and forth after James’ comments about players not wanting to be the next face of the NBA.

James, 40, has been the star of the league for the last two decades since taking over from Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

But he claimed there’s a “weird energy” among media which is putting players off wanting the title.

James then went on to become the first person in history to score 50,000 points in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers star is a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP and regarded by some as the greatest to ever play.

The only man to have a claim similar to his is Michael Jordan.

But Smith said on First Take that James’ latest accomplishments make the debate redundant.

“Although he annoyed the living hell out of me last week with all that nonsense he was talking,” Smith said.

“The greatness that he has put on display for as long as he has put on display.

“I would go a step further, knowing how I feel about Jordan.

“I actually think it’s time to not even have the debate any more.

“That’s how great LeBron James has been for as long as he’s been that great.”