In a historic moment for the NBA, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, made their much-anticipated debut as the first father-son duo to play together in the league. The milestone occurred during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, held in Palm Desert, California. Though the Lakers fell to the Suns in a tight 118-114 loss, the significance of the moment overshadowed the outcome.
The two Jameses shared the court at the start of the second quarter, marking a surreal and emotional moment for LeBron. The 39-year-old NBA superstar, in his 22nd season, delivered an impressive performance with 19 points in just 16 minutes and 20 seconds of playing time before sitting out the second half. Bronny, however, faced a tougher challenge, going scoreless in just over 13 minutes on the court. The 20-year-old rookie attempted only one shot during the game, struggling to find his rhythm in his NBA debut.
Despite the disparity in their individual performances, LeBron expressed deep pride and joy in sharing the court with his son. “It was cool for both of us, especially our family,” LeBron said after the game. “It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget. As a father, it means everything. For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son, to have these moments with him—that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”
LeBron admitted that at times, the experience felt surreal. Reflecting on a particular moment, he said, “We came out of a timeout and stood next to each other. I kind of looked at him, and it felt like being in ‘The Matrix’ or something. It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to have those moments.”
Anticipation surrounding the James duo’s appearance had been building since June when the Lakers selected Bronny as the 55th pick in the NBA Draft. With LeBron’s stellar career and Bronny’s emerging talent, fans were eager to witness this rare father-son pairing.
Lakers’ new head coach, J.J. Redick, was also enthusiastic about the occasion. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this,” Redick said after the game. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. It speaks to the longevity of LeBron and his competitive drive, and it also highlights Bronny’s hard work to reach this point.”
Redick gave Bronny his first taste of NBA action early in the second quarter, with the Lakers leading 34-25. Although Bronny didn’t light up the scoreboard, his debut still marked the beginning of a new chapter in the James family’s basketball legacy.
LeBron, entering this season with renewed energy, said that playing alongside Bronny has given him “a new lease on life” as he begins his 22nd season. “It’s a lot of excitement and pure joy to come to work every day, put in the hard work with your son, and see him grow,” LeBron said. “We push each other. He pushes me, I push him, and we both push our teammates. It’s just a very joyous moment for me and for our family. It gives you a lot of life.”
Bronny, meanwhile, addressed the pressure and criticism he faces, with many claiming that his position on the Lakers’ roster is due to his father’s status. He remains unfazed by the naysayers. “I’m just taking all that criticism and turning it into fuel,” Bronny said at the Lakers’ media day. Though he’s expected to spend much of his rookie season in the developmental G-League, Bronny remains focused on proving himself and building his own path.
The Lakers’ 2024-2025 regular season kicks off on October 22, when they will face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home, marking the beginning of what could be an exciting season for the father-son duo.
