Media

LeBron James offers strong reaction to NBA referee Tony Brown being out for rest of season due to cancer

Published by
Peter Dewey

NBA referee Tony Brown will not officiate for the rest of the 2020-21 season after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month.

It is awful news for Brown, his family and the NBA, and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took to Twitter to offer his prayers for Brown and his family.

Brown has been an NBA official for 19 seasons and officiated his first NBA Finals during the 2019-20 season.

James, the face of the NBA, clearly wants to see someone with such an integral role in the league beat his diagnosis. Brown has been undergoing treatment for his cancer since learning of the diagnosis.

James and the Lakers were a part of the NBA Finals last season, taking home the title. James, who is nursing an ankle injury, is looking to return to the lineup in time for the Lakers to make another deep playoff run this season.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Source close to LeBron drops clue on veteran’s future: ‘He loves it in L.A.’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent,…

May 13, 2026

Report: LeBron took issue with what Rob Pelinka did after big win in March

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reportedly wasn’t happy with a decision general manager Rob…

May 13, 2026

LeBron James goes full UNC as he chastises OKC Thunder kid behind Lakers bench

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping they haven't met their match in the second round…

May 8, 2026

Ric Flair continues to take shots at Luka Doncic while praising LeBron James

Ric Flair praised Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James on social media on Thursday while…

May 7, 2026

Emmanuel Acho eviscerates Austin Reaves after Game 1: ‘In the playoffs, [he] goes ghost’

Emmanuel Acho did not hold back when discussing Austin Reaves’ performance in Game 1 of…

May 6, 2026

Rich Paul: NBA players tell kids not to sign with Klutch because they hate LeBron

Prominent sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul has close ties to…

May 5, 2026