Although LeBron James’ friendship with Kevin Hart began with a roast of Shaquille O’Neal, their relationship since then has been more about roasting each other. Who can forget the 2013 advertisement for Samsung? Hart repeatedly critiqued Bron’s shot and ended up getting one of the shots right into a lake. Classic oops moment! Although it’s been over a decade since then, and the two have only started golfing as a new hobby, it seems like Hart is all set to raise the stakes.

A few weeks after James told Hart that the golfing bug is real, he was proven correct. Hart recently took to his Instagram to share himself practicing his swings in a sleeveless golf shirt. Interestingly, he had a challenge for Bron: “@kingjames … I am publicly challenging you to 18holes in a year …. Next Sept on the 17th …. I’m going to let the world see me kick yo a–!!!!!!! Consider this a threat and a warning!!!!!!!!!! P.S I’m making the sleeveless golf shirt my thing!!!!!! Suns out guns out B——!!!!!!!” Never the one to back down, James had a quick response too.

The NBA star reposted Hart’s threat on his Instagram Story, completely ignoring Hart’s plea to be patient. Rejecting the proposed one-year timeline, James flipped the script and wrote, “Why we gotta wait a whole year?? We can get to it now!! And in a year too! Say it wit cho chest.” Bron called out Hart’s bluff since he needs more time to hone his skills, and a challenge at this point will be a losing game for the actor. James, however, wasn’t done. He took a final jab at Hart’s chosen attire, adding, “And leave that dumbass cut off at home too!,” setting the stage for an epic celebrity golf matchup.

The timing is interesting, too, given that James has been practicing golf more regularly. In fact, he is bringing out his postseason energy to the fairways. A month ago, his love for the sport became apparent when, despite heavy rains, he continued to play. Just a few weeks ago, it was reaffirmed when he repeated the act. He had also confessed to improving his game when he told GQ magazine, “I feel like I’m getting better, but more importantly, I just love the challenge, man. It’s so uncomfortable. So uncomfortable. Like, everything that you thought was the right thing to do? It’s not.”

Now, by asking for an immediate game, James put the ball back in Hart’s court, daring him to prove his words sooner rather than later. With their history of making competitive moments go viral, fans are now waiting to see if this golf rivalry actually tees off. And just as one feud heats up, another storyline is already brewing for the Akron-born.

From the court to the course: LeBron James and Steph Curry’s new rivalry

LeBron James and Stephen Curry have defined an era of basketball, clashing in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018 when James was still in Cleveland. Yet their connection extends beyond the hardwood. Both were born in Akron, both hold four NBA championships, and now both have found common ground on the golf course. For Curry, golf has long been a passion, while James only recently picked it up more seriously, posting about his summer obsession and calling it one of the toughest mental challenges he has faced.

Curry has been watching James’s progress closely. In a recent Sky Sports interview, he admitted his surprise, saying, “He’s obsessed with it. He’s out there a lot more than I actually thought he would be right off the jump. So he gets it, which is great. Yeah, we’ll definitely get out and play.” The two are set to meet again soon on the NBA stage. The league announced that the Lakers and Warriors will open their seasons against each other on October 21, 2025, a fitting setting for a renewed rivalry that now carries an added wrinkle off the court. Golf is now simply another arena for them to measure themselves against each other.

Beyond the jokes, Curry and James are in the final chapters of legendary careers. Now, their offseason activities show how they’re preparing for life after basketball. Curry’s expertise in golf is well established, while James’s dedication to learning the sport shows his competitive instincts remain strong. Whether sharing the tee box in the offseason or going head-to-head on opening night, this evolution of their rivalry is giving fans a whole new reason to stay tuned.