LeBron James, who grew up without a father, has often expressed how much he cherishes every moment spent with his three children. Stepping onto the court on Sunday night to play alongside his son Bronny for the Los Angeles Lakers was a dream realized for him.
During a preseason game against Phoenix, LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together, sharing the court for just over four minutes in the second quarter. “It’s pretty cool for the both of us, and especially for our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget.”
This significant milestone coincided with Bronny’s 20th birthday, making it feel even more special for LeBron, who has longed for this opportunity since Bronny’s high school days. While aware that they will have more chances to play together this season, LeBron described the experience as feeling “not real.” “For a father, it means everything,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of influencing his children positively.
Bronny entered the game as a substitute, joining his father at Acrisure Arena. Coach JJ Redick had informed him beforehand that he would be playing alongside LeBron, yet Bronny remained composed throughout the moment. “I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny stated.
Although their on-court chemistry needs time to develop, with Bronny committing two turnovers and LeBron another during their initial minutes together, LeBron did manage to assist Bronny on a 3-point attempt, which Bronny missed. Redick noted, “I was really hoping that wing 3 would have gone in. That would have been a cool moment.”
Bronny played roughly nine minutes in the second half without scoring, while LeBron finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 16 minutes. “I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,'” LeBron advised. “He’s young. He wants to continue to improve, and that’s what’s most important.”
LeBron is beginning his record-tying 22nd NBA season, while Bronny, drafted by the Lakers this summer, has recently recovered from cardiac arrest. Redick assured that their pairing would not be gimmicky, adding, “It speaks to LeBron’s longevity and his competitive stamina.”
Bronny, standing at 6-foot-2, is expected to spend significant time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League this season, but he is likely to play alongside his 6-foot-9 father in regular season games starting on October 22 against Minnesota.
As LeBron prepares to turn 40 in December, he shows no signs of slowing down. The father-son duo has been practicing together, and they look forward to joining the ranks of other father-son pairs in professional sports, such as Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., and Gordie Howe with his sons.
