Lebron and Bronny Make History Together
By Olirena Tuamoheloa, October 17th 2024
In a landmark moment for basketball, LeBron James and his son, Bronny, made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. This highly anticipated event occurred during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron, in his 22nd NBA season at the age of 39, is already one of the most decorated athletes in basketball history. As the league’s all-time leading scorer with four NBA championships and four MVP awards, he has built a legacy that now includes sharing the court with his son. Bronny, full name LeBron James Jr., was born during LeBron’s second season in the NBA and was drafted by the Lakers this summer after one year at the University of Southern California.
The Jammeses first took the court together earlier in the preseason, coincidentally on Bronny’s 20th birthday. But their historic debut came on Tuesday night. With four minutes remaining in the second quarter, both players substituted in, with the arena erupting in cheers. A microphone caught a brief exchange between the two on the bench, where LeBron advised Bronny to “play care-free” and not worry about mistakes.
Although Bronny only played for about two and a half minutes, recording one rebound, and missing two shots, the significance of the moment overshadowed the statistics. LeBron, meanwhile, contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, leading the Lakers to a 110-103 victory. It marked LeBron’s first opening-night win since joining the Lakers in 2018, but the highlight of the night was undoubtedly the shared playing time with his son.
In a post-game interview, LeBron reflected on the moment. “It’s always been family over everything,” he said, expressing gratitude for the rare opportunity to play alongside Bronny. He acknowledged the sacrifices he had made throughout his career, missing important moments in his children’s lives. “To be able to have this moment where I’m working still and I can work alongside my son is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten,” he added.
Bronny, too, was visibly moved, calling the experience a “crazy moment” he would never forget. Earlier in the day, LeBron playfully hazed his son by sharing a Nike ad in which he filled Bronny’s car with cereal and teased him with the line, “You better not be late.” The game also coincided with the 10th birthday of LeBron’s daughter, Zhuri, adding another layer of sentimentality. Reflecting on the day, LeBron said, “Everything was simply great today… The whole family. It was a great moment.”
For LeBron, Tuesday’s game was a culmination of a dream years in the making—an extraordinary chapter in an already illustrious career. For Bronny, it was the beginning of his own journey in the NBA, one that started side by side with his legendary father.
