LeBron James and his son, Bronny, made NBA history by playing together for the first time during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against Phoenix. This landmark moment marked the first time a father and son have played in an NBA game at the same time, let alone on the same team. The significant occasion occurred on Bronny’s 20th birthday, adding to the special nature of the event.
Bronny James entered the game as a substitute in the second quarter, joining his father on the court to the joy of the crowd at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. Despite some early turnovers from both Bronny and LeBron, the father-son duo tried to make the most of their time on the court together. LeBron has expressed his longtime dream of playing in the NBA with one of his sons, and the Lakers made that a reality by drafting Bronny in the second round this year.
While LeBron James, now in his record-tying 22nd season, showed no sign of slowing down, Bronny is expected to spend time refining his game with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. The father and son have been preparing for this moment since LeBron’s return from the Paris Olympics, where he won a gold medal. They have practiced together extensively, running plays and scrimmaging at the Lakers’ training complex to prepare for playing together in a real NBA game.
The Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick, has discussed the logistics of when the next historic moment of LeBron and Bronny playing together will happen, but no specific date has been set. While LeBron sat out the team’s preseason opener for rest, both he and Bronny are determined to make the most of their time playing alongside each other on the court. Despite Bronny’s limited playing time in the preseason, the father-son duo is eager to showcase their talents and continue making history together.
In the regular season, LeBron and Bronny will join a select group of fathers and sons who have shared a playing field in North American professional sports, adding to the significance of their partnership on the court. With four more preseason games before the start of the regular season, the Lakers are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to have a father and son duo play together and inspire fans around the world. The bond between LeBron and Bronny extends beyond basketball, creating a special connection that shines through in their shared love for the game.
