LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father and son duo to share the court in an NBA game during the Lakers' preseason match against Phoenix. The pair played together for just over four minutes in the second quarter on Sunday night at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley.
"It's pretty cool for both of us, and especially for our family," LeBron said. "It's definitely a moment I will never forget." This historic moment coincided with Bronny's 20th birthday, making it a double celebration for the 39-year-old LeBron, who has long expressed his desire for this opportunity since Bronny was in high school.
Although LeBron knows they will have more chances to play together in the upcoming season, the initial experience felt surreal to the four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star. "For a father, it means everything," LeBron said. "For someone who didn't have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and your son, to have moments with your son – and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son – that's one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for or wish for."
Bronny entered the game as a substitute to start the second quarter, joining his father on the court. Coach JJ Redick informed Bronny before the game that he would be playing alongside LeBron, but the rookie maintained his usual calm demeanor both before and after the moment. "I was pretty psyched for that," Bronny said.
Bronny is still adjusting to playing with his father, who insists that his son can't call him "Dad" on the court. "I'm always thinking, 'That's my dad!' because that's literally my dad," Bronny said. "But when I'm playing, he's just my teammate. That's all."
Their initial minutes together were not as smooth as they will likely be later in the season: Bronny committed two turnovers and LeBron made another in their first two minutes. Shortly after LeBron hit a three-pointer, he assisted Bronny on a three-point attempt, but Bronny missed. "I was really hoping that would have gone in," Redick said with a smile. "That would have been a cool moment. But they'll have a lot of moments together, I'm sure."
Bronny came off the court 4:09 into the second quarter, and LeBron followed 25 seconds later. LeBron finished the first half with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 16 minutes, while watching the second half from the bench alongside Anthony Davis. Bronny played about nine minutes in the second half but didn't score in the Lakers' 118-114 loss to the Suns. "I just told him, 'Keep getting better,'" LeBron said. "He's young. He wants to continue to improve, and that's what's most important. So every time you get a moment out there, just continue to make winning plays. Continue to learn from his mistakes and make winning plays."
LeBron is starting his record-tying 22nd season in the NBA, while Bronny was the Lakers' second-round draft pick this summer. After recovering from cardiac arrest over a year ago, Bronny played just one college season at Southern California before entering the draft. Redick had vowed that the pairing would only happen "in the flow of the game" and wouldn't be "gimmicky." "I'm thrilled that I get to be a part of this, I really am," Redick said. "It's cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron's longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he's able to still be doing this in Year 22. It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point, and really just the fatherly care, and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well. Bronny, he's such a great kid and a pleasure to be around."
The 6ft 2in Bronny is expected to spend much of the upcoming season working on his game with the South Bay Lakers of the G League, but he will almost certainly get to play alongside his 6ft 9in father in a real game early in the regular season. The Lakers begin their regular season on October 22 at home against Minnesota.
LeBron was in his second NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he and his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, became parents for the first time in 2004. They had two more children – son Bryce and daughter Zhuri. LeBron and Bronny have been preparing for the chance to play together ever since LeBron returned from a summer vacation after winning a gold medal with the US team at the Paris Olympics. The father and son have scrimmaged together repeatedly during workouts at the Lakers' training complex, both as teammates and opponents.
In the regular season, they'll join a short list of fathers and sons who have shared a playing field in North American professional sports. Ken Griffey Sr and Ken Griffey Jr played together with the Seattle Mariners during parts of the 1990 and 1991 baseball seasons, while hockey great Gordie Howe played with sons Marty and Mark for the Houston Aeros in the WHA and the New England/Hartford Whalers in the WHA and NHL.
