LeBron James and his son Bronny have made history as the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. This landmark moment unfolded during the Los Angeles Lakers’ thrilling season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Lakers secured a 110-103 victory.
As excitement filled the Crypto.com Arena, the moment came with just four minutes remaining in the first half when Coach JJ Redick introduced LeBron and Bronny to the roaring crowd, who erupted in cheers as the duo took to the court with the Lakers leading 51-35.
Earlier this month, the father-son pair showcased their skills together in a pre-season matchup against the Phoenix Suns. “It’s always been family over everything,” LeBron expressed in a post-game interview with Bronny. “Having the opportunity to play alongside my son is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received, and I intend to fully embrace it.”
The historic moment was witnessed courtside by sports legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., who made MLB history as the first father-son tandem to play for the Seattle Mariners in 1990-1991.
During his first NBA appearance, 20-year-old Bronny played three minutes, attempting two shots and securing an offensive rebound. LeBron, at 39 years old, contributed eight points and three rebounds in 17 minutes before ending the game with 16 points in total.
Reflecting on his debut, Bronny shared, “Checking in at the scorers’ table for the first time was an unforgettable moment. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to improve and learn every day.”
Bronny was selected by the Lakers as a second-round draft pick from the University of Southern California in June. Meanwhile, LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion, is currently in his 22nd season and has not yet indicated when he plans to retire. He recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers following Bronny’s addition to the team.