LeBron James and his son, LeBron Bronny, etched their names into NBA history on Sunday night by becoming the first father-son duo to play in the same game. The historic moment occurred during a preseason matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, marking a milestone that LeBron James had long dreamed of. The game took place at Acrisure Arena in Coachella Valley, coinciding with LeBron Bronny’s 20th birthday, making the event even more memorable.
LeBron Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, entered the game at the start of the second quarter, joining his father on the court. The crowd erupted with excitement as his name was announced, fully aware of the significance of the occasion. Despite the excitement, the pair faced some initial challenges. LeBron Bronny committed two turnovers early on, while LeBron James followed with one of his own. LeBron James then made a 3-pointer, and shortly after, set a screen for LeBron Bronny, though his son missed the 3-point attempt. LeBron Bronny was substituted after just over four minutes of play, with LeBron James following him shortly after.
At 39 years old and entering his 22nd season in the NBA, LeBron James has often expressed his desire to play alongside one of his sons. This dream has now become a reality after years of anticipation. LeBron Bronny, who spent one season at the University of Southern California before declaring for the draft, overcame a significant health scare—a cardiac arrest over a year ago—to reach this milestone. While he is expected to spend much of his rookie season developing with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, it is widely anticipated that he will soon share the court with his father in a regular-season NBA game.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that the team is already planning for the next father-son moment, though no specific timeline has been set. While LeBron James rested during the Lakers’ first preseason game against the Timberwolves, LeBron Bronny played 16 minutes, scoring two points and recording three blocks.
The James family, including LeBron James ’s wife Savannah and their children Bryce and Zhuri, has worked toward this moment for years. The family has frequently scrimmaged together during Lakers’ workouts, laying the foundation for this rare and iconic moment in sports history.
This achievement mirrors other iconic father-son duos in sports history, such as Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. playing together for the Seattle Mariners, and Gordie Howe sharing the ice with his sons Marty and Mark in professional hockey. LeBron James and LeBron Bronny have now added their names to this exclusive list.
