In a historic moment for basketball, LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA regular-season game. This milestone occurred during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking LeBron’s 22nd season in the league.
The historic moment unfolded in the second quarter, with just four minutes left on the clock. Lakers coach J.J. Redick called both players to the court, leading to a significant reaction from the crowd As they prepared to check in, LeBron encouraged Bronny, saying, “Just play carefree, though. Don’t worry about mistakes. Just go out and play hard.”
The energy in the arena was palpable, with fans rising to their feet in anticipation even before the two reached the scorer’s table. Bronny, now 20 years old and a rookie, felt the overwhelming support from the crowd as he made his NBA debut alongside his father.
LeBron, at 39, aimed for a solid start to the season, leading the Lakers to a 110-103 victory while scoring 16 points. Reflecting on the moment of checking in together, he said, “I will never forget that moment. No matter how old I get, no matter how my memory may fade… it’s pretty cool.”
The game also drew a notable crowd, including baseball legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball, who greeted the James family before the game.
During his brief time on the court, Bronny passed the ball to LeBron, who then assisted his son for a 3-point shot attempt that ultimately missed. Bronny’s official stint lasted 2 minutes and 41 seconds, during which he registered one rebound and no points.
After the game, Bronny admitted to feeling anxious before stepping on the court but noted that his nerves faded as he got into the flow of the game. Lakers coach J.J. Redick remarked on the special atmosphere, surprised by the loud cheers during a dead ball when he realized the significance of the moment.
Despite the history-making event, LeBron emphasized the importance of family, sharing that he appreciated the opportunity to make up for lost time with his son. He expressed joy in watching Bronny grow as a player and a person, especially after Bronny’s health scare last summer when he suffered cardiac arrest during practice at USC.
Bronny’s journey to this moment was fueled by his admiration for his father’s accomplishments, particularly witnessing LeBron’s championship win in 2016 and his recent performance with Team USA at the Paris Olympics.
With the first official game now behind them, both LeBron and Bronny are set to carve their names further into basketball history, showcasing not just their individual talents but also their bond as a family.
