On Tuesday night, during the Los Angeles Lakers' season opener, LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA, realizing a dream that LeBron had envisioned a few years prior, as he stands as the league's all-time leading scorer.
“That moment, us being at the scorer’s table together and checking in together, it’s a moment I’m never going to forget,” LeBron remarked. “Regardless of how old I become or how my memory may fade, I will always remember that moment.”
Both father and son entered the game against Minnesota simultaneously with four minutes remaining in the second quarter, eliciting a significant ovation from a home crowd that recognized the historical significance of the event. LeBron, at 39 years old, had already played 13 minutes before joining his 20-year-old son for approximately 2.5 minutes of play.
LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, boasting four championships and 20 All-Star selections, while LeBron James Jr. was selected by the Lakers in the second round last summer. They are the first father and son to compete in the premier basketball league simultaneously, and on the same team.
“Are you ready? You see the intensity, right? Just play carefree, though,” the father advised his son from the bench before they entered the game, a moment captured by TNT's cameras and microphones. “Don’t worry about mistakes. Just go out and play hard.”
Their time on the court together was dynamic and energetic, just as LeBron had promised.
LeBron concluded the night with 16 points, missing two outside shots before executing a dunk. Bronny secured an early offensive rebound and missed a tip-in, with his first NBA jump shot—a 3-pointer—coming up just short. He exited the game shortly after, with 1:19 left in the second quarter, receiving another round of applause.
Are you all set? You can see the intensity, right? Just play without any pressure, father advised his son while seated on the bench before their turn to enter the game, a moment captured by TNT's cameras and microphones. "Don’t stress about making mistakes. Just go out there and give it your all."
Their time on the court together was as dynamic and exhilarating as LeBron had promised.
LeBron concluded the evening with 16 points, having missed two outside shots before executing a dunk. Bronny secured an early offensive rebound but failed to convert a tip-in, and his first NBA jump shot—a 3-pointer—fell just short moments later. He exited the game shortly after, with 1:19 remaining in the second quarter, receiving another round of applause.
Bronny did not return to play in the Lakers’ 110-103 win over the Timberwolves.
“I tried to block out everything happening around me and focus on being a rookie without making mistakes,” Bronny reflected. “But I definitely felt the energy, and I’m grateful to Laker Nation for their support for me and my dad.”
After the final buzzer marked the Lakers’ first opening-night win in LeBron’s seven seasons with the team, father and son made their way to the locker room together, pausing in the tunnel to embrace Savannah James, LeBron’s wife and Bronny’s mother. The entire family was present to witness this historic moment, coinciding with little sister Zhuri’s 10th birthday.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. were also present at the Lakers’ downtown arena, sharing in the historic occasion reminiscent of their own achievements in Major League Baseball. The two legends played together for 51 games with the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991, becoming baseball’s first father-son duo.
The James and Griffey families connected during pregame warmups for photos and a friendly conversation between two extraordinary family legacies.
LeBron first expressed his aspiration to play alongside his son Bronny several years ago, while Bronny was still in high school. This dream materialized when Bronny entered the draft as a teenager after completing one season in college, and the Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick.
“I mentioned this years ago, and for it to finally happen is quite special,” LeBron remarked. “I’m not sure when it will fully sink in for both of us, but when we take a moment to reflect, it’s truly remarkable. … However, during the game, we had a responsibility to focus. We didn’t want to turn it into a spectacle. Our priority was the team.”
With this achievement, LeBron and Bronny join a select group of father-son duos who have played professionally together. The Griffey family made history 34 years ago, famously hitting home runs in the same game on September 14, 1990.
In 2001, Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Raines and his son also shared this experience with the Baltimore Orioles.
In the realm of hockey, Gordie Howe played alongside his sons, Mark and Marty, with the WHA’s Houston Aeros and Team Canada, culminating in a season together on the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80, when Gordie was 51 years old.
Last year, LeBron averaged over 25 points per game for the 20th consecutive season, remaining a pivotal player for the Lakers alongside Anthony Davis as they strive to regain the championship form they exhibited in 2020 and their run to the Western Conference finals in 2023.
Bronny experienced cardiac arrest and underwent open heart surgery in the summer of 2023. Despite these challenges, he played a shortened freshman season at the University of Southern California and subsequently declared for the NBA draft. The Los Angeles Lakers seized the opportunity to select the 6-foot-2 guard with one of their final picks.
During the summer, LeBron participated in the Paris Olympics with the gold medal-winning U.S. team, while Bronny showcased his skills with the Lakers in the summer league. They began training together with the Lakers prior to the start of training camp.
The pair made their debut together in the preseason, where they played four minutes in a game against Phoenix near Palm Springs earlier this month.
“It’s been a treat,” LeBron remarked during a shootaround on Tuesday morning. “In preseason, the practices, just every day ... bringing him up to speed on what this professional life entails and how to prepare daily as a professional.”
The Lakers recognized the significance of this father-son duo and coach JJ Redick recently discussed a strategy with the Jameses to integrate them early in the regular season.
The presence of the Griffey family likely made this pairing a certainty for opening night, although Redick emphasized that the Lakers preferred it to occur “naturally, in the flow of the game.”
The Lakers have not commented on the duration of Bronny's stay on their NBA roster. With three other small guards already on the team, Bronny will likely require consistent playing time to elevate his performance to an NBA level.
These considerations suggest that Bronny may soon join the South Bay Lakers in the G League. Both LeBron and Redick have expressed positive views about the South Bay team, highlighting the importance of player development within the Lakers organization.
Miami forward Kevin Love, who has known all of LeBron's children—Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri—during his time as LeBron’s teammate in Cleveland, described it as “an unbelievable moment” to witness the father and son playing together.