Lebron, Bronny James make history as first Father-son duo in NBA

LeBron James and his oldest son, Bronny James, made NBA history on Sunday by sharing the court for the first time as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers. They took to the floor together at the beginning of the second quarter during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, which ended in a 118-114 defeat for the Lakers in Palm Desert, east of Los Angeles.

LeBron showcased his skills with an impressive performance, scoring 19 points in just over 16 minutes before sitting out the second half. In contrast, Bronny faced challenges, finishing the game with no points in just over 13 minutes of play, managing only one shot attempt.

Reflecting on the experience, LeBron, 39, expressed how meaningful it was for both him and their family. “It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever,” he said, noting that it was particularly significant as Bronny celebrated his 20th birthday. “As a father, it means everything. Having a positive influence on your son and sharing these moments is one of the greatest gifts a dad can have.”

LeBron admitted that there were 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 just didn’t seem real. But having those experiences together was fantastic.”

Excitement had been building regarding the historic moment when the father-son duo would play in the same NBA game since Bronny was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft this past June. New Lakers coach J.J. Redick shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m thrilled to witness this. It’s special not just for basketball fans but also highlights LeBron’s longevity and Bronny’s hard work to reach this point.”

Bronny was introduced to the court as the Lakers led 34-25 in the second quarter. LeBron has expressed that sharing a team with Bronny has reinvigorated his passion for the game as he embarks on his 22nd season. “It’s pure joy to come to work every day and see him grow,” he shared. “We motivate each other and push our teammates. It’s a truly joyous experience for our family.”

In a recent media day, Bronny addressed the criticisms he faces, particularly the notion that he only made the Lakers roster due to his father’s fame. “I’m using that criticism as fuel,” he stated, determined to prove himself.

While Bronny is anticipated to spend a significant portion of his rookie season in the G-League rather than on the main Lakers roster, the team is set to open its 2024-2025 regular season with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.