‘It means everything’: LeBron James takes court alongside son Bronny for first time
LeBron and Bronny James became the first father and son to play in an NBA game together during the first half of the Lakers’ preseason game against Phoenix. They played side-by-side for just over four minutes in the second quarter on Sunday night.
“It’s pretty cool for both of us, and especially for our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget.”
The James family’s remarkable moment happened to take place on Bronny’s 20th birthday, and it felt like a celebration for 39-year-old LeBron, who spoke about his desire for the opportunity since Bronny was in high school.
Although LeBron knows they will have more opportunities to play together in the Lakers’ upcoming season, the first time together in uniform on the court “didn’t feel real” for the four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star.
“To a dad, it means everything,” LeBron said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up [LeBron James’s father was absent from his life]to be able to have that influence on your children and that influence on your son, to be able to have moments with your son – and ultimately, to be able to work with your son – that is one of the greatest things a father can ever do could hope or wish for.”
Bronny entered the preseason game as a substitute to start the second quarter, joining his father on the court at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley. Bronny was told before the game by coach JJ Redick that he would be playing alongside LeBron, but the rookie maintained his usual cool demeanor both before and after the moment.
“I was pretty excited about that,” Bronny said.
Bronny is still learning how to handle an on-field relationship with his father, who has repeatedly emphasized that his son should not call him “dad” on the field. “I always think, ‘That’s my dad!’ because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “But when I play, he’s just my teammate. That’s all.”
Their minutes together weren’t as smooth as they were later in the season: Bronny committed two turnovers and LeBron committed another in their first two minutes. Shortly after LeBron hit a three-pointer moments later, LeBron got the ball to Bronny and set a screen for his son’s three-point attempt, but Bronny missed.
“I was really hoping that… would have gone in,” Redick said with a smile. “That would have been a cool moment. But they will have many more moments together, I’m sure.”
Bronny came free for a sub at 4:09 of the second quarter, and LeBron came out on the next dead ball 25 seconds later. LeBron had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes during the first half, and he watched the Lakers’ second half from the bench next to Anthony Davis.
Bronny played about nine minutes in the second half but did not score in the Lakers’ 118–114 loss to the Suns. “I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,’” LeBron said. ‘He’s young. He wants to keep improving, and that’s the most important thing. So every time you have a moment, just keep making winning plays. Continue to learn from his mistakes and make winning plays.”
LeBron is entering his record-breaking 22nd season in the NBA, while Bronny was the Lakers’ second-round draft pick this summer. After recovering from cardiac arrest over a year ago, Bronny played just one college season at Southern California before entering the draft.
Redick had promised that the pairing would only happen “during the course of the game” and would not be “gimmicky.” “I’m thrilled to be a part of this, I really am,” Redick said. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to the longevity of LeBron, but also his competitive stamina that he can still do this in year 22. It speaks to the work Bronny has put in to get to this point, and really just about the fatherly care, and certainly also the motherly care of Savannah. Bronny, he’s such a great guy and a pleasure to be around.
The 6-foot-2 Bronny is expected to spend much of next season working on his game with the G League’s South Bay Lakers, but he will almost certainly be paired up with his 6-foot-2 father early in the regular season being able to play in a real match. The Lakers open their regular season at home against Minnesota on October 22.
LeBron was early in his second NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he and his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, became parents for the first time in 2004. They had two more children: son Bryce and daughter Zhuri.
LeBron and Bronny have been preparing for the chance to play together since LeBron returned from a summer vacation after winning a gold medal with the U.S. team at the Paris Olympics. The father and son have fought together repeatedly during practices at the Lakers’ training facility, both as teammates and as opponents.
In the regular season, they join a short list of fathers and sons who have shared a playing field in North American professional sports. Ken Griffey Sr and Ken Griffey Jr played parts of the 1990 and 1991 baseball seasons with the Seattle Mariners, while hockey great Gordie Howe played with sons Marty and Mark for the Houston Eros in the WHA and the New England/Hartford Whalers in the WHA and NHL .