Tonight, the energy inside Crypto.com Arena was different from the moment the visitors walked in. Of course, since the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade last offseason, matches between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks have an extra edge to them, and warmups were thick with the weight of the history between the two sides of the ball. Then, one moment broke that tension.

As players from both sides began getting into position for tipoff, Anthony Davis stood a few feet ahead of the scorer’s table, waiting for his teammates to get ready. LeBron James, Davis’s former teammate, passed by him and playfully bumped the Mavs forward with the side of his waist.

The cameras caught the exchange and the look on both of their faces: all smiles. It was just a second, but in the aftermath of a trade filled with narrative, it felt like a crack in the armor, and an unspoken message exchanged between the two without any words actually said. Right afterward, LeBron was also caught in a friendly handshake with former Lakers teammate Max Christie.

It looked like a reminder of everything the duo have built up and endured together: the 2020 championship, injuries, unfortunate playoff exits, the inaugural NBA Cup championship, and dozens of unforgettable moments. Their relationship has been dissected, questioned, and doubted, yet this simple reminder said more about them than any interview ever could.

The context matters even more, given how violently the Lakers were shaken last season when the Doncic deal split them apart after five years together. The trade completely changed the outlook for both stars, leaving them answering continuous questions about their future from the media. In the past, Davis has talked about being “grateful to the city where my first ring came from,” while LeBron has publicly said that Davis is “one of my best friends,” but the ache from the trade was obvious.

So to see them share this small moment tonight felt like closure, maybe reconnection, for some LA fans. With the season’s stakes tightening and conversations about what comes next ever-present, the interaction showed that their friendship is still as strong as ever.

Fans Get Emotional Watching Anthony Davis & LeBron James Reunite

Social media lit up after clips of LeBron James playfully bumping Anthony Davis went viral. For many Los Angeles Lakers fans, it wasn’t just a joke between friends, but a reminder of the first era after the legendary Kobe Bryant’s retirement that LA was successful. One fan summed up that wave of nostalgia, writing, “This s— means sum to me.”

Another viewer highlighted how deeply the fanbase values Davis‘s contributions to the Purple and Gold, posting, “We still love you 3 😂💜💛.” Even after roster upheaval, the emotional connection between fans and the former duo remains untouched.

For many still adjusting to the new era of the Lakers, the moment also stung. “They took my duo from me,” one user wrote, referencing how Luka Doncic‘s arrival completely reshaped the franchise’s hierarchy, and while the future looks much brighter, the trade has inevitably altered the chemistry that was in place.

Some discussion also focused on something much bigger than stats, lineups, or basketball in general. “Brothers for life,” one fan wrote, highlighting what this interaction indicated: no transaction is every going to rewrite the bond built through shared pressure and championship battles.

As the clip replayed across timelines, the reflection finally settled in. “They used to be insane together, now it’s doncic,” one comment read; a line soaked in admiration for one of the greatest revivals in Lakers history and an acknowledgement of the future. For a fanbase now in the bridge between eras, the lighthearted bump was a moment filled with memories.