K-Pop star J-Hope’s presence at LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry clash gets huge roar

LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry's most-anticipated clash brought a star-studded crowd to the arena, including K-pop icon J-Hope.

K-Pop star J-Hope’s presence at LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry clash gets huge roar

LeBron James vs Stephen Curry clash brings K-pop star J Hope (image via CNN/People)

LeBron James and Stephen Curry are two of the most formidable athletes in the NBA, especially when they are in the same corner. On the other hand, when they are put against each other, the clash becomes even more delightful to watch. The recent confrontation between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors was a star-studded affair, dragging celebrities like J-Hope to the stands.

The highly anticipated match commenced at the Crypto.com Arena, where the floor was lava after the exhilarating performances. To bear witness to the occasion, celebrities from around the world were spotted, including a special guest from the Korean Entertainment Industry.

YouTube video

BTS sensation J Hope made headlines with a surprise feature on the jumbotron. A Lakers dedicated account posted the singer’s picture on X, signifying the roaring stadium. They also compared his hype within the fans to that of ‘Jeff Hardy from 2008′. The global icon went comfy casual for the occasion, donning a jogger and jacket set over a white tank, accessorized by a dainty silver chain.

Apart from him, several global stars, including David Beckham, Zoe Saldana, Victoria Monet, Andy Garcia, Emma Grede, soccer star Trinity Rodman, and more were present. Notably, this is not the first instance of the Korean Industry merging with the NBA.

Only recently, Stephen Curry met his super fan and K-pop star Chenle after his 4k three-pointer victory. J-Hope’s teammate, BTS’s SUGA, expressed his affection for the league. Back in April 2023, he was also announced as the NBA’s global ambassador for his profound interest in the sport.

Circling back to the aforementioned clash, both the Lakers,46-29, and the Warriors, 44-31, had much to lose. Curry-led Warriors turned out to be slightly stronger and better than James-led Lakers after the 123-116 victory.

The two-time NBA MVP contributed 37 points in front of a slow start by the home team, making LeBron James’ 33 points short for the win. Nonetheless, the star-packed arena was buzzing, no less than a Hollywood night.

J-Hope receives a special gift from the Lakers’ Luka Doncic

For hosts, the Lakers do a good job giving a warm welcome to their attendees. One of the new Lakers, Luka Doncic, had a special something planned for the guest of the event, J-Hope. Before the clash, the Slovenian basketball player approached the BTS member backstage and handed him a box with his initials printed on it. In the NBA’s video making rounds on the internet, the K-pop icon expresses his wonder at the contents of the shoebox.

Inside were the unreleased Jordan Luka 4s in white with neon green accents. Some fans believe that the NBA star handpicked green to match the singer’s preferences. Before fully opening the package, Doncic hinted that they were not out yet, gaining a bewildered expression from J-Hope. Not just that, per his stories, the Hope World singer also received a customized jersey with his name on the back. The jersey number, 94, was allegedly a nod to his birth year.

Much like the audience, the Korean star appreciated the gesture. He posted a couple of clips from the courtside view on his IG stories. The social media erupted with praises for the NBA icon, gloating about such interactions between sportspersons and celebrities. Notably, Luka Doncic also met SUGA when he made appearances as the global ambassador of the NBA.