LeBron James and Bronny James made headlines as they became the first father-son duo to compete in an NBA game during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick planned to bring Bronny into the game late in the first half. The pivotal moment arrived with 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter, with the Lakers leading by 16 points. Father and son approached the scorer’s table, shedding their warm-ups as the enthusiastic crowd at Crypto.com Arena erupted in applause. Zhuri, Bronny’s sister, watched with her hands clasped, beaming with pride.
The next few minutes were relatively quiet on the court.
Bronny missed both his shot attempts, including a three-pointer from a pass by LeBron. He did manage to secure an offensive rebound and even guarded Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards for a brief moment before leaving the game with 1:19 left in the half, not returning thereafter.
Yet, none of this overshadowed the significance of the occasion.
For LeBron, the oldest active player in the league at 39, this was a long-held dream realized—playing alongside his son. For Bronny, the 20-year-old 55th overall pick in the NBA Draft, the moment was particularly poignant, especially after his health scare in August 2023 when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a USC practice.
“That moment, us being at the scorer’s table together and checking in together, is something I will never forget,” LeBron shared, reflecting on the experience. He finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, contributing to the Lakers’ 110-103 victory.
During their time on the bench, LeBron and Bronny sat side by side. At times, LeBron shielded his face with a towel while offering advice to his son, ensuring their conversation remained private from prying cameras.
[Related: LeBron and Bronny James make history]
After the game, LeBron and teammate Anthony Davis, who have shared a locker room since 2019, engaged in lighthearted conversation about football while getting dressed. In contrast, Bronny quietly prepared for the next steps.
When they entered the interview room, LeBron and Bronny sat together at the podium, facing a flurry of media questions.
Reflecting on his rookie debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, LeBron recalled the immense pressure he felt at just 18 years old, already branded “The Chosen One.” He admitted, “I was extremely nervous. I felt the world of basketball on my shoulders.”
In contrast, Bronny faces a different set of expectations. While the question of whether he will dominate the league looms, the focus is more on how long he can maintain his presence in it.
Despite the weight of expectations, Bronny expressed that stepping onto the court was “a little nerve-wracking,” though he quickly settled into the game after a few plays. “I tried to focus on going in as a rookie and not trying to mess up,” he stated, expressing gratitude for the support from the Laker Nation.
Davis, who has witnessed Bronny’s journey closely, described the moment as “monumental,” and shared his hope for Bronny’s success. “We wanted that three to go in,” he remarked, recalling the anticipation surrounding Bronny’s shot.
While the significance of this moment was clear, it also seemed that both LeBron and Bronny were eager to move forward, focusing on their responsibilities to the team.
LeBron aims to guide the Lakers back to championship contention after a disappointing playoff exit last season, while also nurturing Bronny’s development without allowing their shared moment to become a distraction.
For Bronny, this game marked a significant milestone.
Having watched his father achieve great milestones, including the memorable comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals and leading Team USA to Olympic gold, Bronny now shares in a moment that will be etched in their family history.
“I don’t know that it’s actually going to hit the both of us for a little minute,” LeBron reflected. “We’ll sit back and think, ‘Oh, wow, that was pretty crazy.'”
