Cheima Moufdil
On Sunday night, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, etched their names into the history books as the first father-son duo to play together on the same team in the NBA. The remarkable moment unfolded during the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, a night Bronny won't soon forget, as it also marked his 20th birthday.
The highly anticipated moment came in the second quarter when Bronny entered the game, joining his legendary father, who is preparing for his 22nd NBA season. The crowd erupted in cheers as the younger James took the court alongside the four-time NBA champion, making for a surreal family moment.
Bronny’s initial minutes alongside his father were a mixed bag, with the young guard committing two turnovers in his first two minutes. LeBron, showing confidence in his son, passed the ball to Bronny and set a screen for him. Unfortunately, Bronny missed a three-point attempt later in the quarter.
LeBron, however, continued to shine, delivering a vintage performance. He posted 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists in just 16 minutes of play, while Bronny finished the game scoreless in 13 minutes, collecting two rebounds but also committing four turnovers. Despite their historic collaboration, the Lakers fell short in a 118-114 loss to the Suns.
Bronny’s professional debut came just two days earlier during the Lakers' preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he had a challenging outing, going 1-for-6 from the field while contributing three blocks in 16 minutes. LeBron did not play in that game.
Drafted by the Lakers in the second round (55th overall) of the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny James joined the league after a single season at USC. His basketball journey hit a major bump in July 2023 when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout. Fortunately, after being cleared to return, Bronny has steadily worked his way back into shape. During his collegiate career at USC, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 25 games, including six starts.
As LeBron approaches his 40th birthday in December, this historic father-son pairing adds another layer of legacy to the James family and further cements LeBron's status as a trailblazer in the sport. While the Lakers look to improve before the regular season, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how Bronny’s game develops alongside his father’s ever-lasting greatness.