Photos: AFP
LeBron and Bronny James etched their names into NBA history on Tuesday, becoming the first father and son duo to share the court in a regular season game. The Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103. The pair had previously played together in a preseason match earlier this month, but this marked their first regular season appearance. They entered the game late in the second quarter at the Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers comfortably ahead 51-35. The home crowd erupted in a deafening cheer as the James duo approached the scorer's table to check in. As they prepared to take the court, LeBron Sr could be heard encouraging Bronny: "You ready? You see the intensity, right? Just play carefree though."
In a moment straight out of a Hollywood script, the father-son act was witnessed by Ken Griffey Sr and Ken Griffey Jr, who made baseball history by playing together for the Seattle Mariners in 1990-1991. LeBron expressed his gratitude for the unforgettable moment, especially after celebrating his daughter Zhuri Nova's 10th birthday earlier that day. "Everything was just great today, everything — from the moment I woke up," he said. "Obviously, this is the first time in the NBA's rich history that a father and son have been on the same floor, let alone on the same team. It was pretty cool."
Bronny's debut with the Lakers was modest. The 20-year-old spent 2 minutes, 41 seconds on the court, missing both of his field goal attempts before being substituted. He thanked the Lakers fans for their supportive energy, stating, "I try not to focus on everything that's going on around me. I was trying to focus on trying not to mess up. But I totally did feel the energy."
Lakers officials had been tight-lipped about when and where LeBron and Bronny would make their regular season debut together. However, LeBron, who turns 40 in December, admitted he was ecstatic about the opportunity to share the court with his son. "Just to run out the tunnel knowing that he'll be in uniform, run out the tunnel with him, see him warm up, and be out there with the rest of my teammates," he said during a morning shoot-around. The anticipation surrounding the James duo has been a focal point for the Lakers as they prepared for the new season, especially since Bronny was drafted by the franchise in June.
Bronny is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the developmental G-League rather than with the Lakers' senior squad. LeBron expressed his joy at being able to guide his son through his initial steps into professional basketball. "It's been a treat and just in preseason, the practices, just every day," he said. "The plane rides, the bus rides of being with him and showing him the ropes, along with his teammates and coaches. Just what this professional life is all about and how to prepare every day ... super-duper cool." Bronny's journey to the NBA is particularly remarkable given that he suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout with his University of Southern California teammates just over a year ago. LeBron Sr credited his son's recovery for his determination to play in the NBA, stating, "To see him play in a college Division I game the same year he had heart surgery... I knew that at that moment that there really was going to be nothing to stop him from anything that he wants to do."
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