LeBron and Bronny James Make NBA History as First Father-Son Duo to Play Together
LeBron James and his son, Bronny, made NBA history on Sunday when they played together for the first time during the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. This is the first time a father and son have ever played at the same time and on the same team in the NBA, including in preseason games.
Memorable night for James family despite loss
Bronny, who turned 20 on the day of the game, entered the court in the second quarter while his dad was already playing.
“We came out of a timeout and kind of stood next to each other. It felt like being in The Matrix. It just didn’t feel real,” LeBron said after the game.
Despite the Lakers losing 118-114, the night was a memorable one for the James family.
LeBron put up 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 16 minutes. Bronny, on the other hand, went scoreless during his 13 minutes on the floor but grabbed two rebounds and committed four turnovers. In one notable moment, LeBron set a screen for his son, who missed a three-point attempt.
“It’s pretty cool for the both of us, especially for our family. It’s definitely a moment I will never forget,” LeBron said.
Game a dream come true for LeBron
For LeBron, playing alongside his son is a dream come true. “For a father, it means everything. 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,” LeBron said.
The game also had sentimental value for LeBron, who reflected on his own upbringing and the significance of being able to play with his child. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son is something special,” he added.
Bronny drafted to Lakers in second round of draft
Bronny was drafted by the Lakers in the second round of this year’s draft after playing one season at the University of Southern California. However, his journey to the NBA hasn’t been without challenges, as he suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout in July 2023. He has since been cleared to return to basketball.
Fans to see more of father-son duo as NBA season starts
The father-son duo will have more opportunities to share the court when the regular season starts on October 22nd. While LeBron is preparing for his 22nd season in the league, Bronny is just beginning his NBA career. LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, is looking forward to building on this historic moment with his son.
While the Lakers didn’t get the win, the night was still a win for the James family and NBA history.
