LeBron James and Son Bronny Make NBA History Together
In a historic moment for basketball, LeBron James and his son, Bronny, took to the court together for the first time during a preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, California. This landmark event marks the first instance of a father and son playing simultaneously in an NBA game, coinciding with Bronny's 20th birthday.
Bronny James entered the game as a substitute at the start of the second quarter, joining his father on the court to a warm reception from fans at Acrisure Arena. LeBron, embarking on his 22nd NBA season, has long expressed his desire to play alongside one of his sons. The Lakers fulfilled this dream by selecting Bronny as their second-round draft pick earlier this summer.
After recovering from a cardiac arrest incident over a year ago, Bronny played just one season at the University of Southern California before entering the draft. During his brief time on the court against the Suns, he scored two points on one-of-six shooting and recorded three blocked shots in 16 minutes of play.
LeBron is set to turn 40 in December but continues to perform at an elite level, showing no signs of slowing down. The Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick, mentioned that while they are already discussing future opportunities for the father-son duo to play together in regular-season games, no specific timeline has been established.
As Bronny prepares for most of the upcoming season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, it is anticipated that he will have further chances to share the court with his father during regular-season games. The Lakers have four more preseason games scheduled before they kick off their regular season against Minnesota on October 22.
This unique father-son dynamic in professional sports draws comparisons to other notable pairings, such as Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. in Major League Baseball and Gordie Howe with his sons in hockey. The James family’s achievement not only highlights their individual talents but also adds a new chapter to sports history.