LeBron James and his oldest son, Bronny James, made NBA history on Sunday by playing together for the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time.
They took the court as teammates at the beginning of the second quarter during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, which the Lakers lost 118-114 in Palm Desert, east of Los Angeles.
LeBron showcased his skills, scoring 19 points in just over 16 minutes before resting for the second half. In contrast, Bronny struggled, going scoreless in just over 13 minutes and attempting only one shot.
Reflecting on the experience, LeBron, 39, shared, “It was a special moment for both of us, especially for our family. It’s something I’ll always remember.” He added, “As a father, it means everything. Having that influence on my son and sharing these moments is one of the greatest joys a dad can have.”
LeBron also mentioned some surreal moments during the game. “After a timeout, we stood next to each other, and I looked at him. It felt like being in ‘The Matrix’—it was almost unreal. But it was wonderful to share those moments.”
The excitement surrounding the father-son duo has been building since the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft this past June.
New Lakers coach J.J. Redick expressed his enthusiasm about their historic pairing, stating, “It’s amazing to witness as a basketball fan. It highlights LeBron’s enduring competitiveness and the hard work Bronny has put in to reach this level.”
Redick introduced Bronny to the game while the Lakers were ahead 34-25 in the second quarter.
LeBron has mentioned that playing alongside Bronny has revitalized him as he embarks on his 22nd season. “It’s incredibly exciting to come to work every day and see my son grow,” he said. “We motivate each other and our teammates, which makes this experience joyful for both of us and our family.”
Bronny, during a recent media day, acknowledged the skepticism surrounding his place on the Lakers, saying, “I take all the criticism and use it as motivation.”
While Bronny is expected to spend much of his rookie season in the G-League, the Lakers are set to begin their 2024-2025 regular season with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.
