LeBron and Bronny James, first father and son to play together

PALM DESERT, Calif.– LeBron James and Bronny James made history Sunday night as the first father and son to play together in an NBA game when the Los Angeles Lakers lost 118-114 in the preseason to the Phoenix Suns in the Arcisure Arena.

The historic moment came at the start of the second quarter when Bronny James, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, entered the game and joined his father on the court.

“To a father, it means everything,” LeBron James said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your children and have influence on your child. To be able to have moments with your child. And ultimately, to be able to work with your child. I think that’s one of the things bigger than a parent can expect or wish for.

He said Lakers coach JJ Redick had told him before the game that he and his son would likely play their first minutes together as professionals. It allowed them both to prepare for the moment, even though they didn’t know exactly when it would arrive.

WOW, THAT WAS SURREAL!!

– LeBron James (@KingJames) October 7, 2024

“I just wanted to give them a chance to play together in the preseason … within the flow of the game,” Redick said. “I’m excited to be able to be a part of this. I really am. It’s great as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina, the fact that he can still do this in year 22. It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point and really just the paternal care and love, and certainly the maternal care of Savannah as well.

“Bronny is a great kid and a pleasure to be around.”

Although they played together for only 4 minutes and 9 seconds, there were several memorable moments: first, when each occupied the entire court on defense as the Lakers tried to shore up their transition defense, then when the elder James stood next to his son . while arguing an illegal screen call to Bronny.

The only moment that didn’t come to fruition was the father-son assist, when Bronny missed a three-pointer after a dribble handoff from his father.

“I was really hoping DHO’s small side 3 wing would have come in,” Redick said. “That would have been a great moment, but you’re sure to have a lot of moments together.”

The elder James, who is entering his 22nd season, has been talking about his desire to play alongside his oldest son for several years and the Lakers put father and son in position to make history by drafting Bronny with the 55th pick in June.

“I’m preparing for the game like it’s a normal game,” LeBron said. “But the moment we came out of the timeout and he was taking up the entire court and I went up, because my guy was snapping the ball. We stood next to each other and I looked at him, and it was like, ‘This is it’ The Matrix” or something like that?’ “It just didn’t seem real.”

LeBron James, 39, started Sunday’s game after missing the first preseason game on Friday. He and fellow Olympian Anthony Davis seemed to have great momentum from the start, leading Los Angeles in the first half with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, respectively. Neither of them played in the second half.

Bronny did not score in his 13:25 of action, missing the only shot he took and committing four turnovers. He’s still a work in progress on offense, but he has impressed his teammates and coaches with his work ethic on defense.

“It’s tough,” Davis said. “Obviously, he’s defensive-minded. Some great blocks, Game 1. The physicality. He beats screens, he’s good with his hands as far as deflections and steals. But he’s also learning. He’s still trying to figure everything out, so” “We have to realize he’s still a rookie, and this is a different style of basketball in the league, but I like what I see from him, on both ends of the floor, especially on defense.”

Bronny has been remarkably even-keeled throughout the process from being drafted by the Lakers, to going through his first pro camp, to now playing alongside his father.

“I’m always thinking ‘That’s my dad’ because that’s literally my dad,” he said. “So I go out there and when I play, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I think about at the time.”

When asked how he remained so calm while recounting the story of this experience, he shrugged his shoulders. It’s his nature, but also a byproduct of the experience he’s been through the past two years, returning from cardiac arrest as a freshman at USC.

“It’s just about taking everything that’s happened to me this year, getting up and continuing to work every day,” he said. “I just find fuel every day to get up and start working.

“JJ has really emphasized the defensive side and being a pest on defense. So that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on when I step on the court.”