LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny James, made NBA history on Sunday with their highly anticipated first appearance together on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The duo played side by side at the start of the second quarter during the Lakers’ 118-114 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, just east of Los Angeles. LeBron showcased his skills with 19 points in just over 16 minutes before sitting out the second half, while Bronny struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with zero points in just over 13 minutes and attempting only one shot.
“It was a special moment for both of us, especially for our family,” said LeBron, 39, after the game. “I’ll never forget it. As a father, it means everything to me. Having not had a dad growing up, being able to influence my son and share these moments is one of the greatest things a father could hope for.”
LeBron acknowledged that playing alongside Bronny felt surreal at times. “We came out of a timeout and stood next to each other. I looked at him and it felt like being in ‘The Matrix’—it just didn’t seem real. But it was great to share those moments.”
The anticipation for this father-son duo to play together has been building since the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft in June.
New Lakers coach J.J. Redick expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s a great moment for basketball fans. It highlights LeBron’s longevity and competitive spirit, and it showcases the hard work Bronny has put in to reach this level.”
Redick introduced Bronny to the game with the Lakers leading 34-25 in the second quarter. LeBron noted that playing with Bronny has revitalized him as he enters his 22nd season. “It’s a pure joy to work alongside my son every day and watch him grow. We push each other, and it creates a joyful atmosphere for our family.”
Bronny, reflecting on criticism regarding his placement on the Lakers roster, said he uses it as motivation: “I take all the criticism and backlash and turn it into something that fuels me.”
While Bronny is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the G-League, the Lakers are set to open their 2024-2025 regular season with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.
