LeBron and Bronny James Make NBA History by Playing Together

The legendary basketball duo, LeBron James and his son Bronny James, created history during a Los Angeles Lakers preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. This historic event, which took place at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, marked the first time a father and son played together in an NBA game.

The game coincided with a significant milestone for Bronny, who was celebrating his 20th birthday. Reflecting on the experience, LeBron James, aged 39, described the moment as unforgettable and deeply meaningful. “As a father, it means everything,” he stated, reflecting on his own childhood experiences and the opportunity to share the court with his son.

Bronny James, entering the game as a substitute in the second quarter, admitted that the experience felt surreal at times. “We kind of stood next to each other… It was like being in The Matrix or something,” Bronny commented, capturing the unique nature of their shared court time.

The performance on the court was not without its challenges. Early on, Bronny committed two turnovers while LeBron also had a turnover in the initial minutes. Despite this, LeBron managed to score a 3-pointer and assisted his son in a play shortly after, although Bronny missed the shot.

In the course of the game, LeBron concluded the first half with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists before taking a seat on the bench next to teammate Anthony Davis for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, Bronny continued to play for approximately nine minutes during the second half.

The event was guided under the coaching of J.J. Redick, who expressed excitement about witnessing this landmark moment. Prior to the game, Redick assured that the father-son pairing would occur naturally within the game flow, avoiding any performative or “gimmicky” arrangements.

Although Bronny is anticipated to develop his skills mainly with the South Bay Lakers in the G League this season, opportunities for the father-son duo to share the main stage in regular season games are expected. Discussions are reportedly already underway regarding logistics for future appearances.

With LeBron entering his 22nd NBA season, tying a record, he remains steadfast in his aspiration to play alongside one of his sons. The Lakers facilitated this dream by selecting Bronny as their second-round draft pick, despite Bronny’s brief college career at the University of Southern California.

Historical as it was, this game was also an early highlight of the Lakers’ preseason, as they continue to prepare for the regular season beginning later this month against the Minnesota Timberwolves.