Photos: LeBron James drops black mask

Sports

NBA star LeBron James accepted a request from the NBA to stop wearing a black mask to protect his broken nose. The league asked James to wear a clear mask instead, as previous players have worn. James wore the black mask in one game.

LeBron James dispensed with his menacing black mask at the NBA's request and switched to a clear protective cover for the Miami Heat's game Saturday against the Orlando Magic. The black mask made its debut Thursday in James' first game since he broke his nose. He said he received word from league officials Friday that they wanted him to instead wear something that would allow opponents to see his face.

James wore a clear mask Saturday night. In this photo, James (6) drives around Orlando Magic small forward Maurice Harkless (21).

James (6) goes up for a shot Saturday night.

"I'm good with the NBA," James said with a smile. "I am not against the NBA. I had a request, and I fulfilled it."

Teammate Dwyane Wade said he warned James the league would give the black mask a thumbs-down. "I told him after Thursday's game, 'You have fun, because it ain't happening the next game,'" Wade said. "It was fun. A lot of attention, a lot of T-shirts are going to be made, a lot of Instagram posts. Now we move on to something else."

Miami Heat small forward LeBron James, right, and New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) hug before the game Thursday.

James agreed that the black mask was a marketing success, with feedback he received universally positive. He said he may give the mask to charity so it can be auctioned off.

"Everyone loved it," James said. "I got stuff, from 'You look very menacing,' to 'You look like a superhero,' to 'You look amazing.' A little bit of everything. No one told me it was terrible."

LeBron James (6) adjusts his mask during an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in Miami, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014.

"It's not a league rule, but it's the league's request that you don't wear the black one," James said before Saturday's game. "The reasons they told me didn't make sense to me, but I'm just a player. I will abide by the request."

New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) talk during the second half Thursday. The Heat won 108-82.

LeBron James heads up court with the ball against the New York Knicks Thursday.

1/12

LeBron James dispensed with his menacing black mask at the NBA's request and switched to a clear protective cover for the Miami Heat's game Saturday against the Orlando Magic. The black mask made its debut Thursday in James' first game since he broke his nose. He said he received word from league officials Friday that they wanted him to instead wear something that would allow opponents to see his face.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Georgia students organize protests against ICE after Minnesota killings

Alerts

PHOTOS: Snellville's Brookwood High School students rally and march against ICE

PHOTOS: Hawks lose at home to Rockets

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

Buford football holds ceremony to celebrate its consensus national championship

PHOTOS: Matt Ryan introduced as Falcons President of Football

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Pelicans

PHOTOS: Trae Young reportedly traded to Wizards