LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny James, have etched their names in NBA history by making their long-awaited debut together as teammates for the Los Angeles Lakers. The duo took the court together at the start of the second quarter during the Lakers’ 118-114 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, east of Los Angeles.
LeBron showcased his skills, scoring 19 points in just over 16 minutes before sitting out the second half. In contrast, Bronny faced challenges, finishing the game with zero points in just over 13 minutes of play, attempting only one shot.
“It was cool for both of us, especially our family,” said LeBron, 39, after the game, which coincided with Bronny’s 20th birthday. “It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget. As a father, it means everything. For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son, to have moments with your son, to work with your son – that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”
Reflecting on their experience, LeBron shared, “We came out of a timeout and we kind of stood next to each other. I kind of looked at him. It was like being in The Matrix or something. It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to have those moments.”
The anticipation surrounding this historic moment has been building since the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft in June, making them the first father-son duo to play together in the same NBA lineup.
New Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this. It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to the longevity of LeBron and his competitive stamina. And it speaks to the work that Bronny has done to get to this point.”
JJ Redick introduced Bronny James onto the floor as the Lakers held a 34-25 lead in the second quarter. LeBron James remarked that playing alongside Bronny has rejuvenated him as he embarks on the 22nd season of his illustrious career.
“It’s a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day and be able to see him continue to grow,” LeBron shared. “We push each other. He pushes me. I push him. We push our teammates, and vice versa. So it’s just a very joyous moment not only for myself, but for our family. So it’s pretty awesome. Gives you a lot of life.”
Bronny, addressing the criticisms that he may have received his place on the Lakers roster solely due to his father’s status, said at the team’s recent media day, “I’m just taking all that stuff, that criticism and backlash that people have given me and turning it into something that can fuel me.”
Though Bronny is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the developmental G League instead of the Lakers’ senior squad, the family is excited for the journey ahead. The Lakers are set to open their 2024-25 regular season with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.
