LeBron James Issues Warning After Accepting Kevin Hart’s Challenge

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 1:31 PM ET

Over the summer, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James devoted significant time to developing a golf game. What began as a personal passion project, however, has since evolved into a full-blown celebrity rivalry after Hollywood’s Kevin Hart made a very public challenge, and James accepted.

On Wednesday, Hart announced via Instagram that he, too, was "loading" up on golf skills and immediately aimed squarely at James, writing, "But [expletive] I’m about to be on yo [expletive]!!!!!! @kingjames … I am publicly challenging you to 18 holes in a year… Next Sept on the 17th… I’m going to let the world see me kick yo [expletive]!!!!!!! Consider this a threat and a warning!!!! P.S. I’m making the sleeveless golf shirt my thing!!!!!! Suns out guns out [expletive]!!!!!!!"

Rather than wait the 12 months, James leapt at Hart’s proposal in an Instagram story the very same day. "Why we gotta wait a whole year?? We can get to it now!! And in a year too!" he wrote, before ribbing Hart’s sleeveless golf-shirt gambit: "Say it wit cho chest. And leave that [expletive] cut off at home too!"

Then, on Friday, James escalated the theatrics. He reshared Hart’s original call-out to his Instagram stories and added a spoiler for the coming showdown: "It’s going to be a movie I’m going to kick his [expletive]!!!! ."

James first hinted at his growing golf obsession in July, sharing highlights of himself teeing off for the first time publicly and admitting, "Day 2 of officially trying this out! Boy o Boy it's a mind [expletive] to say the least! But I think I enjoy that part of it a lot! Haha!"

His awkward swing immediately caught the attention of golf and basketball fans alike, including PGA pros and current NBA stars. Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors even mocked James' swing at the American Century Championship.

Since that moment, James has been publicly frequenting golf courses and posting practice videos. In August, he even posted a video of himself golfing through the rain and saying, "Addicted. I'm sorry, I know, that's it. Raining and everything."

In a recent interview with GQ tied to his Nike LeBron 23 coverage, James estimated his handicap near 20-25. He also acknowledged that while the sport is challenging, that's why he likes it, as it's a place where he can be "uncomfortable" and improve outside basketball.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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