LeBron James is back on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers, but his return comes amid swirling controversy fueled by UFC fighter Colby Covington's recent accusations.

Covington made headlines last week during a pre-fight media scrum, alleging the NBA star's connection to Sean "Diddy" Combs' notorious parties. The events, known for their alleged wildness, are under increasing scrutiny due to legal issues involving Diddy, who is currently incarcerated and facing charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering.

James had missed two games over an eight-day stretch, citing personal reasons — a decision that sparked speculation about the true nature of his absence.

While James later attributed his break to managing his health, including a sore left foot and the need for mental and physical recovery, the timing coincided with Covington's comments.

What Did Colby Covington Say?

As seen in a video from the UFC event last week (see below), Covington used a portion of his time to essentially accuse James of attending the notorious parties linked to Diddy.

"What does he mean by, 'There's no party like a Diddy party'?" Covington asked the reporters present, the fighter referencing a remark that James himself made during an Instagram Live session with Combs back in 2020.

"How many Diddy parties have you been to, LeBron?" Covington continued. "Is that why you left social media? It's pathetic."

LeBron James' Return to the Lakers

During LeBron James' return to the court on Sunday night, the veteran NBA star helped the Lakers secure a 116-110 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, contributing 18 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks in a total of 34 minutes of action.

LeBron James, Lakers, JJ Redick
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Addressing his time away, James explained, "I had an opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body, and everything where I wanted it to be for tonight. And it worked out." He added, "A lot of rehabbing, a lot of training still to make sure that I was ready to go tonight. Didn't want to get too much out of shape."

Lakers coach JJ Redick labeled James' absence as "excused" and said he gave the star the space he needed. James described the break as a period of intense rehabilitation and training to ensure his readiness for the season's demands. Both emphasized that the 39-year-old forward's foot soreness remains an ongoing issue, requiring careful management.

"It's not behind me," James admitted about the lingering soreness, according to ESPN, "but I feel better and ready to contribute."

Adding fuel to the fire, speculation about James' trade potential has resurfaced. Reports suggest that the Golden State Warriors are monitoring his situation, although James has publicly expressed no desire to leave the Lakers. Meanwhile, his return to the lineup showcased the energy and leadership that have defined his two-decade career.

Indeed, James "had some energy, which kind of brought energy to us," Lakers teammate Anthony Davis said about James' performance.

The Diddy Allegations

The controversy, however, isn't fading quickly. Covington's claims — linking James to Diddy's controversial events — have kept fans on social media abuzz with debate, especially after accusations tied fellow Jay-Z to Diddy's alleged activities.

Although no evidence supports Covington's allegations, the comments tie James to a broader narrative about the dark side of celebrity culture and the lingering impact of Diddy's legal troubles.

As the Lakers navigate their season and James inches closer to his 40th birthday, the spotlight remains firmly on him — both for his on-court performance and the off-court drama that seems to follow. Whether James addresses Covington's accusations or continues to let his game speak for itself remains to be seen.

Commenters online are currently keeping the debate about the rumors alive. "Colby's a dafty, but let's not pretend LeBron isn't a weirdo," one X (formerly Twitter) user replied to a meme warning Covington not to "disrespect" James. "He loves himself a bit of Diddy."

"What the f**k does Colby being a good or bad fighter matter? Lebron still going to jail," another chimed in.

"So when LeBron is convicted of heinous crimes will be be allowed into the HOF?" yet another responded.

Others looked at it from a different angle, with some calling into question Covington's political alignment.

"Why is colby always hating on lebron cuz of 'diddy parties' but worships trump who has manyyy photos with Epstein and diddy?" one person asked.

"I don't [like] Colby Convington," another added. "I'm not a Trump supporter either so don't try and use that whataboutism against me. The question still stands — what did LeBron mean when he said 'there ain't no party like a diddy party'?"

--Originally appeared on 'Music Times.'

Tags
LeBron James, Diddy