LeBron James' home vandalized, spray-painted with racial slur

LOS ANGELES, California -- LeBron James' California home was targeted by vandals, who spray-painted a racial slur on the front gate of the property, Los Angeles police said.

The vandalism was reported at around 6:45 a.m. Los Angeles Police Department officials said the basketball star was not home at the time of the incident.

Capt. Patricia Sandoval, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, told The Associated Press that the property manager told officers they believe the incident was captured on surveillance video.

By 9:30 a.m., the racial slur was covered up by property management, police said.

The incident is technically being investigated as a hate crime, though the crime has yet to be classified as such. The LAPD's West L.A. Division is investigating the incident.

James' agent, Rich Paul, declined to comment. James and the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Golden State Warriors in NBA Finals beginning Thursday night, with Game 1 in Oakland.

Watch the NBA Finals on ABC7 starting Thursday, May 7.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)