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LeBron and Bronny James Make NBA History as First Father-Son Duo to Play in the Same Game

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LeBron and Bronny James Make NBA History as First Father-Son Duo to Play in the Same Game

LeBron James made history Tuesday night when he stepped onto the court for the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener, kicking off his record-tying 22nd NBA season. But it wasn’t just his longevity that marked the night—it was also a family affair.

In a landmark moment, LeBron’s 20-year-old son, Bronny James, joined him on the court, making them the first father-son duo to ever play together in an NBA regular-season game.

The milestone, which had been anticipated since Bronny was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers on June 27, became reality with just four minutes left in the second quarter. Lakers coach J.J. Redick made the call, signaling for both LeBron and Bronny to check into the game.

As the father and son rose from the bench, the crowd at Crypto.com Arena erupted into applause. NBA cameras caught the moment when LeBron offered his son some quick advice before they took the court: “Just play carefree. Don’t worry about mistakes, just play hard.”

The anticipation built as the pair walked towards the scorer’s table, and by the time Bronny stepped onto the court for the first official minute of his NBA career, the energy in the arena was electric.

Among those witnessing the historic moment were MLB legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who famously became the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball in 1990. The Griffeys shared a moment with the Jameses before the game, posing for a photo to commemorate the occasion.

But beyond the spectacle, LeBron’s focus remained on the game. The Lakers were aiming for their first season-opener win since 2016, and they delivered, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103. LeBron contributed 16 points in the victory, but it was his time on the court with Bronny that stole the spotlight.

“Obviously, us being at the scorer’s table together, checking in together—that’s something I will never forget,” LeBron said after the game. “No matter how old I get or how much my memory fades, I will never forget that moment.”

In a memorable father-son sequence, Bronny passed to LeBron at the top of the three-point line, and LeBron drove into the paint before kicking it back to his son for an open three-pointer. Although the shot missed, the crowd roared in support. Bronny played a total of 2 minutes and 41 seconds, finishing with one rebound and zero points.

Speaking after the game, Bronny admitted to feeling nervous before stepping on the court. “That first game is a little nerve-wracking,” he said. “But once I got out there and ran up and down a couple times, the nerves went away. I felt good.”

Coach J.J. Redick, who made the decision to play the pair together, praised Bronny’s performance in the preseason and his composure during the game. “He competed well,” Redick said. “He had a tough matchup, but he held his own.”

While this wasn’t the first time LeBron and Bronny had shared the court—having played together in preseason games—Tuesday’s game marked the first official NBA action for the duo. For LeBron, who is already the league’s all-time leading scorer and expected to become the all-time leader in minutes played this season, the night was as personal as it was professional.

Reflecting on how far his son has come, LeBron recalled missing many milestones during Bronny’s childhood due to his own NBA career. “I missed so many days while they were in grade school and high school. So to be able to recoup some of those moments now, working together, it’s pretty cool.”

LeBron also reminded reporters of Bronny’s uncertain path to the NBA after suffering cardiac arrest during a practice at the University of Southern California in 2023. Despite the scare, Bronny recovered and made his way to the Lakers after a brief college career.

Bronny, reflecting on his journey, said his father’s 2016 NBA championship with Cleveland and LeBron’s performance at the Paris Olympics cemented his own desire to make it to the NBA.

On Tuesday night, he achieved that dream—and did so alongside his father.

“Everything was just great today,” LeBron said with a smile, capping off a night of history and family legacy.

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