California. LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, stepped onto the court Sunday night for a historic moment, playing alongside his son, Bronny, for the Los Angeles Lakers. For LeBron, who grew up without a father, this milestone was more than just basketball; it was the realization of a family dream.
During the Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, the father-son duo became the first to play together in any NBA game, sharing the floor for just over four minutes in the second quarter. “It’s pretty cool for both of us and especially for our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget.”
The game also marked Bronny’s 20th birthday, making it a double celebration for the James family. LeBron, who has long desired this opportunity, described the experience as “not real.” “For a father, it means everything,” he added. “To be able to have moments with your son — and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”
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Bronny entered the game as a substitute at the start of the second quarter, joining his father on the court at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley. Although he was informed by coach JJ Redick that he would play alongside LeBron, Bronny maintained his usual cool demeanor. “I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny said.
While the duo’s minutes together weren’t flawless—Bronny had two turnovers, and LeBron made another—they shared some special moments, including LeBron assisting Bronny on a missed three-pointer. “I was really hoping that wing three would have gone in,” Redick remarked with a smile. “That would have been a cool moment.”
LeBron had a solid first half, scoring 19 points, while Bronny played about nine minutes but did not score in the Lakers’ 118-114 loss. “I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,'” LeBron said. “He’s young and wants to improve, and that’s what’s most important.”
As LeBron begins his record-tying 22nd NBA season, Bronny, the Lakers’ second-round draft pick this summer, is working to establish himself after recovering from cardiac arrest over a year ago. Redick assured fans that the father-son pairing would occur “in the flow of the game,” not as a gimmick.
The 6-foot-2 Bronny is expected to spend much of the upcoming season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, but he will likely have more chances to play alongside his father during the regular season, which kicks off on October 22 against Minnesota.
LeBron, who will turn 40 in late December, showed no signs of slowing down. After resting during the Lakers’ preseason opener, he and Bronny have scrimmaged together frequently at the Lakers’ training complex, preparing for this moment.
In the regular season, they will join a short list of fathers and sons who have played together in North American professional sports, alongside names like Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., and Gordie Howe with his sons Marty and Mark.
