LeBron and Bronny James Make NBA History: Father and Son Share the Court in Lakers Season Opener
LeBron James gave his 20-year-old son Bronny a motivational pep talk before they both rose from the Lakers’ bench, greeted by rising cheers from the crowd. They walked together to the scorer’s table, stepping into the game and basketball history.
On Tuesday night, during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together, fulfilling a dream LeBron has spoken about for years.
“That moment, us being at the scorer’s table together and checking in together, it’s a moment I’m never going to forget,” said LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. “No matter how old I get, no matter how my memory may fade, I will never forget that moment.”
A Historic Milestone
Father and son checked into the game simultaneously, with four minutes left in the second quarter, and were greeted by a roaring ovation from the home crowd. LeBron, who started the game, had already logged 13 minutes on the court. The pair shared about 2 1/2 minutes of action before Bronny checked out.
LeBron finished the night with 16 points, and while Bronny’s first shot—a 3-pointer—came up just short, his presence on the court was celebrated. After the Lakers’ 110-103 victory, LeBron and Bronny walked to the locker room together, stopping to hug LeBron’s wife and Bronny’s mother, Savannah, marking the emotional end of a historic night.
Father-Son Duos in Sports
LeBron and Bronny join a select group of father-son professional athletes who have played together. Baseball legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who played together for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991, were courtside to witness the NBA’s first father-son pairing. The two families met during pregame warmups, sharing photos and stories of their experiences, showcasing the camaraderie that exists within the sports community.
Other notable father-son pairings include Tim Raines and his son, who played in Major League Baseball in 2001, and hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played with his two sons in the WHA before one NHL season together in 1979-80. However, these pairings carried a different weight than LeBron’s stardom and Bronny’s unique journey to the NBA.
A Dream Fulfilled
LeBron first spoke of his dream to play alongside his son a few years ago when Bronny was still in high school. That dream became a reality when Bronny declared for the NBA Draft after one season at the University of Southern California, and the Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick.
“It’s pretty cool,” LeBron said. “When we sit back and take it in, it’s crazy. But we weren’t trying to make it about us; we wanted it to be about the team.”
A Bright Future for Bronny
Bronny’s path to this moment was challenging. He survived cardiac arrest and open-heart surgery in 2023, returning to play in a shortened freshman season at USC before entering the draft. Now part of the Lakers organization, his future may include time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League to develop his game further.
While Bronny has just begun his NBA journey, LeBron remains at the top of his game in his 22nd season. The four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to lead the Lakers in their pursuit of another championship.
A Special Moment
Miami Heat forward Kevin Love, who knows the James family from his time with LeBron in Cleveland, reflected on the significance of the moment. “This is different because LeBron is still a top-five player in the league,” Love said. “The storylines in this game are unbelievable, and it’s cool to see.”
As LeBron and Bronny etched their names into basketball history, one thing became clear: this moment will resonate with basketball fans and beyond for years to come. The father-son duo has just begun their shared journey, and their time on the court together promises to be one of the most memorable chapters in LeBron’s legendary career.