LeBron James and his son, Bronny, created NBA history on Sunday night as they shared the court for the first time during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against Phoenix. This historic moment marked the first time a father and son duo played in an NBA game together, especially on the same team. Interestingly, this significant occasion fell on Bronny’s 20th birthday.
Bronny James made his appearance in the game as a substitute at the beginning of the second quarter, joining his father on the court amidst cheers from the crowd at Acrisure Arena in Coachella Valley. The 6-foot-2 Bronny was the Lakers’ second-round draft pick this summer, following his recovery from cardiac arrest over a year ago and a single season at Southern California.
Initially, there were some hiccups as both Bronny and LeBron committed turnovers in their first few minutes playing together. Despite the rough start, LeBron, the top scorer in NBA history, displayed his skills by hitting a 3-pointer and setting a screen for Bronny’s 3-point attempt. Coach JJ Redick mentioned that discussions have already taken place regarding future opportunities for the duo to play together.
As LeBron approaches his 22nd NBA season and Bronny embarks on his professional basketball journey, the father-son pair have been preparing for this momentous occasion since LeBron returned from the Paris Olympics. While Bronny is expected to spend time honing his skills with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, the anticipation of the father-son duo playing together in a regular-season game is high.
This unique bond between LeBron and Bronny adds their names to a select list of fathers and sons who have shared the playing field in North American professional sports. The Lakers have several more preseason games before starting their regular season, filled with excitement for fans eager to witness more unforgettable moments from the James family.