One of the most prominent teams in sports, the Los Angeles Lakers, have experienced many historic events, including 17 titles. However, Lakers star LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son team to play together in an NBA game on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, marking a first for the league.
Playing in his record-tying 22nd NBA season, James, 39, was expected to start for the Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With four minutes left in the second quarter, Bronny, 20, who was playing in his first NBA game, came on the court alongside his father. As the crowd cheered, the two entered the game together as substitutes and immediately got to work.
On the first day of the NBA’s 79th season, the Lakers’ supporters at Crypto.com Arena cheered and recorded the moment on camera.
Before entering the spotlight, LeBron gave Bronny some last-minute counsel in a private father-son meeting that was recorded by a TNT Sports microphone.
“You see how intense it is?” LeBron inquired. But just act carefree. Don’t stress over errors. Simply go out and have a great time.
throughout his first and only shift on the court throughout the game, the younger James played roughly two and a half minutes. He had a rebound during his 0–2 shooting period.
LeBron James scored 16 points for the Los Angeles Lakers, who would win 110-103.
Anthony Davis, the forward-center for the Lakers, led all scorers with 36 points and 16 rebounds on a fantastic night.
Following the game, TNT Sports heard the happy father and son’s thoughts on the momentous occasion.
“It’s family.” Regarding the significance of Tuesday’s milestone, LeBron stated, “It’s always been family over everything.”
“Being on the road occasionally, losing his belongings, and dedicating myself to this league caused me to lose a lot of time. One of the best gifts I’ve ever had from God is the opportunity to labor alongside my son while remaining still, and I’m going to take full advantage of it.
As he and his father walked into the game together at the scorer’s table, Bronny talked about the strange sensation he felt.
Bronny remarked, “I’ll never forget that crazy moment when I checked in for the first time.” “I was given a fantastic opportunity to enter this league and improve and learn every day. I simply have so much gratitude.
After giving Bronny a shoulder pat, a beaming LeBron concluded the interview by saying, “I’m really proud of him, and he’s definitely my lifeline.”
Although it was during the preseason, LeBron and Bronny shared the court earlier in October when they faced the Phoenix Suns. The moment was officially recorded in the NBA record books on Tuesday.
LeBron and Bronny played together on the court at the same time earlier in October against the Phoenix Suns, but that was during the preseason. The moment became official in the NBA record books after Tuesday’s appearance.
Some baseball royalty were among the many well-known people present to watch LeBron and Bronny create their own chapter in NBA history, and they were as aware of the moment’s importance as anybody living.
In 1990, while playing for the Seattle Mariners, Hall of Fame baseball star Ken Griffey Jr. and his father, Ken Griffey Sr., were the first father and son to play together in an MLB game.
Before Tuesday’s game, Griffey Jr. stated on “The Road to Cooperstown” podcast, “My dad and I are really excited to be there.”
“We get to watch history because we made it. That’s what will be cool about it, then.
The Jameses and Griffeys stood together on the court for a time capsule photo before the game started, and they laughed together.
During the pre-game shoot-around, the Jameses had a good time hanging around, grinning and chatting while they took shots.
The father and son must have had the same amount of fun when they taped a Nike commercial in which the father made fun of rookie hazing. Hours before the game, LeBron shared the promotion on X.
The Raineses in baseball and the illustrious Howe family in hockey are the only other multigenerational homes in major American sports to achieve the feat.
Gordy Howe, the father of the Howe family, was a member of the Hartford Whalers during the 1979–80 NHL season, playing alongside his two sons, Mark and Marty. Additionally, Tim Raines and his son Tim Raines Jr. shared the outfield in 2001 with the Baltimore Orioles.