LeBron James made a stop for a pedicure in Beverly Hills before returning to NBA action on Tuesday, but it didn’t translate into a win for him. The Cleveland Cavaliers star, who had been sidelined for two weeks due to back and knee injuries, took precautions to ensure his agility on the court was optimal.

Known as King James, he appeared in robust health, dressed in a vibrant orange T-shirt and striking Nike sneakers during his grooming session. Despite his efforts, the Cavaliers lost the game against the Phoenix Suns with a score of 107-100, although James himself scored 33 points in nearly 37 minutes of play.

The Cavaliers had hoped for a turnaround in fortunes with James’ return, having lost seven out of eight games during his absence, the longest in his career. James acknowledged the challenge of watching his team struggle while he was unable to play, describing it as one of the most difficult experiences he’s faced.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, James emphasized the need to maintain focus on the fundamentals that had shown improvement earlier in the season before his injury. He mentioned the team’s uneven performance lately and expressed optimism about returning to their earlier good form.

In a previous event, James caused a stir when he briefly put his arm around the Duchess of Cambridge during a photo opportunity in New York, following a game against the Brooklyn Nets where the royal couple received a gift for Prince George. Despite the breach in etiquette noted by some, James’ gesture was seen as a casual moment rather than a deliberate breach of protocol.

Overall, despite his efforts off the court and his return to play, James and the Cavaliers faced a setback in their recent game, highlighting the challenges they continue to navigate this season.