LOS ANGELES — When LeBron James first stepped on an NBA court in 2003, it would be another year before his eldest son, Bronny James, would even be born.
In the Lakers season opener 20 years later, father and son walked on an NBA court together.
LeBron James.
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2024
Bronny James.
The first father-son duo to play together in the NBA! pic.twitter.com/naadFLoPmh
“I lost a lot of time because of this league... So to have this moment, where I’m still working and can work alongside my son, is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten from the man above,” LeBron said in his walk-off interview after the Lakers win (110-103).
It is the first time in NBA history that a father and son were in a game at the same time.
“Obviously that moment, us going to the scorer’s table, checking in together, that’s something I will never forget, no matter how old I get, no matter how my memory made fade when I get older, I will never forget that moment,” LeBron said.
“Just looking at them checking in at the same time at the scorer’s table, it gave me little chills,” Anthony Davis said. “You see it in preseason or whatever, but we wasn’t really at home. To do it in front of this crowd, everybody standing up, it was a special moment.”
Davis also jokingly noted that this was one of the few times the Lakers had won a game where LeBron reached a milestone — those have
all tended to be losses.
Before the James family went on the court together, LeBron had a word of advice for his son.
"Just play carefree"
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 23, 2024
LeBron was mic'd up next to Bronny on the bench 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/x3uKYIt6YX
LeBron and Bronny subbed into the game together with 4 minutes left in the first half, with the Lakers up 16 against the Timberwolves. It was perfect timing by Lakers coach J.J. Redick, a chance for father and son to play together in minutes that mattered — not garbage time — but not clutch minutes, either.
Bronny is known for his defense but had a quick welcome to the NBA moment when the 6'2" 20-year-old got switched onto 6'8" 250-pound Julius Randle, who went right at him and scored.
There were a couple of moments when it looked like father and son could make a play together. One was a dribble-handoff, but LeBron missed the shot. The better chance was a drive-and-kick by LeBron to Bronny for an open wing 3, but Bronny missed.
Bronny was subbed out with 1:29 left and the Lakers up 11 (he was -5).
The Lakers fans at Staples were pulling for history, partly because they understand the reality — Bronny is not ready to be part of an NBA rotation. Not yet. He’s got the athleticism, IQ, and work ethic to live up to that potential. But it’s going to take a lot of work, most of which will happen in the G-League this season. These moments will not be an every night occurrence, and both the fans and LeBron wanted to savor that.
For a night though, those fans got to witness NBA history.
