Hate crime reported at home of LeBron James

— LeBron James has a distraction to deal with just prior to the beginning of the NBA Finals.

TMZ reported Wednesday a home in Los Angeles owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers star was vandalized with a racial epithet:

…Someone spray painted the n-word on the front gate and detectives are now investigating, cops tell TMZ Sports.

Here’s what we know … multiple LAPD units and a neighborhood patrol vehicle responded to the home early Wednesday morning. We’re told the word was scrawled on the outer gate.

James, who maintains a home in Northeast Ohio, and the Cavaliers are set to face the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the last two NBA Finals.