During the Los Angeles Lakers’ season-opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James and his son Bronny achieved a groundbreaking first: they became the inaugural father-son duo to compete in an NBA match together. Their simultaneous entrance onto the court – which occurred with just four minutes remaining in the second quarter – was met with resounding applause from an audience aware of this remarkable achievement. Despite his now seasoned age of 39, LeBron – the highest-scoring NBA player of all time – had kicked off the game with a 13-minute performance before accompanying his 20-year-old son on the court.
Commenting on the momentous occasion, a visibly emotional LeBron remarked, “This is a moment that will forever be engraved in my memory, irrespective of age or potential fading recollection…”
In a defining moment for basketball, not only did the James family debut in an NBA game together, they also achieved this in the world’s premium basketball league, representing the same team no less. Bronny had been scooped up by the Lakers during the latter stages of last summer’s player selection process.
In a heartwarming exchange prior to taking their positions on the court, the elder James imparted on his son, “Are you ready? Do you see the intensity? Nevertheless, go out there and play in a relaxed manner. Ignore any mistakes, simply play with vigour…”
Their time on court together was brief, just under three minutes, during which LeBron attempted two long-range shots before a successful slam dunk. Bronny rebounded early on and narrowly missed a follow-up shot, with his initial attempt at an NBA field goal falling slightly short. He received another round of applause when leaving the court with barely more than a minute left in the second quarter.
Speaking on the experience, Bronny revealed, “I tried to block out the surrounding hype, attempting to blend in as a novice and avoid making mistakes. But yes, I definitely sensed the energy and am grateful to the Laker supporters for backing both me and my father.”
Ken Griffey Sr and Jr, two notable names in Major League Baseball, were spectators of the same history they created. These two power hitters teamed up for 51 matches for the Seattle Mariners in the years 1990 and 1991, becoming the initial father and son combo in baseball. The families of James and Griffey gathered for a pre-match meet and the sharing of photos, this interesting encounter was between two exceptional family lineages.
LeBron James, with four NBA championships and 20 All-Star mentions to his name, first expressed his aspiration to play with his eldest son, Bronny, a couple of years back when Bronny was still a high school student. His dream turned into reality when Bronny, after a single season in college, went into the draft as a young teenager, after which the Lakers picked him as the 55th overall choice.
Thus, they became part of a unique fraternity of professional athletes who’ve played along with their offsprings. This feat was previously achieved by the Griffey’s 34 years prior, they even managed to score in the same match in September 1990. Moreover, Baseball’s Hall of Famer Tim Raines along with his son of the same name clinched this accomplishment with the Baltimore Orioles in 2001. In the realm of ice hockey, Gordie Howe took to the ice with his two sons, Mark and Marty, first with the WHA’s Houston Aeros and Team Canada, and then with the Hartford Whalers in the NHL season of 1979-80, when Gordie was aged 51.
Despite other parent-child pairings taking place towards the closing stages of the fathers’ careers, LeBron continues to display immense vigour without any indications of regression or slowdown. As he steps into a record-equalling 22nd NBA season, his average remains more than 25 points for the 20th straight season. His collaboration with Anthony Davis is key for the Lakers’ ambitions to replicate their 2020 championship form and their 2023 Western Conference finals feat.
Bronny overcame cardiac arrest and open heart surgery and even managed to play a shortened freshman season at the University of Southern California in the summer of 2023. Driven by ambition, he declared for the draft, and the Lakers gladly picked him up as the penultimate choice. The 6ft 2in guard was a catch for the Lakers.
The summer saw LeBron in Europe as part of the US team winning gold at the Paris Olympics, whereas Bronny was busy with the Lakers in the summer league. The father-son duo started practising together with the Lakers ahead of the training camp.
In a recent morning shootaround, LeBron expressed how rewarding it has been to guide and acquaint his son, Bronny, with the professional basketball lifestyle – their day-to-day activities from practice sessions to preseason games. The pair first shared a court during a preseason showdown against Phoenix earlier this month, a moment the Lakers had been eagerly anticipating.
Head coach JJ Redick had earlier engaged in discussions with the James family, strategising to bring this historic parent-child pairing onto the court early into the regular season. With the presence of the Griffeys, it was almost destined to happen on opening night. Despite this, Redick insisted that the Lakers wanted it to occur naturally during gameplay.
How long Bronny remains on the Lakers’ NBA roster remains unknown as the team refrains from speculation. The squad already includes point guards such as D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, which might limit Bronny’s playtime. As a result, Bronny may require frequent playtime with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, to elevate his performance to meet NBA standards. Both LeBron and Redick have commended the South Bay team, emphasising that player growth is integral to the Lakers setup.
Kevin Love—forward for Miami and former teammate of LeBron in Cleveland—knew all the James children – Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri. Love expressed it was a surreal experience watching the father-son duo play together. He compared this event to witnessing the Griffey family on the field, though he noted LeBron being a top-five player added a distinctive element. Love praised the event, adding it contributed to the interesting narrative of the game, and such storylines are precisely why the major TV deal was secured.