LeBron James and his son Bronny James made NBA history on Sunday, October 6, 2024, when they appeared together on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. This marked the first time a father and son played in the same NBA lineup.
The historic moment occurred at the start of the second quarter, with the Lakers leading 34-25. LeBron, 39, contributed 19 points in just 16 minutes, while Bronny, who celebrated his 20th birthday, struggled to make an impact, going scoreless in over 13 minutes on the floor.
Reflecting on the milestone, LeBron described the experience as unforgettable: “It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget. As a father, it means everything.”
LeBron, who grew up without a father, emphasized the significance of sharing this moment with his son. “For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son, to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”
New Lakers coach J.J. Redick also highlighted the significance of the achievement: “It speaks to the longevity of LeBron and his competitive stamina. And it speaks to the work that Bronny has done to get to this point.”
Bronny, who faced criticism from those who claimed his place on the team was due to his father’s influence, addressed the backlash during the Lakers’ media day, saying, “I’m just taking all that criticism and backlash and turning it into something that can fuel me.”
While Bronny is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the G-League, the father-son duo has already secured their place in NBA history. The Lakers will begin their regular season campaign on October 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
