Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father and son to play in an NBA game together during the Lakers’ season opener.
This historic moment happened when the duo checked into the game with four minutes left in the second quarter, receiving loud cheers from the home crowd.
LeBron, 39, had already played 13 minutes before joining his 20-year-old son, who was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the NBA draft last summer. Together, they shared two and a half minutes on the court, marking a milestone in sports history. Bronny grabbed a rebound and missed a tip-in, while LeBron made a dunk and finished the night with 16 points in the Lakers’ 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After the game, the James family shared a special moment, stopping to hug Savannah James, LeBron’s wife and Bronny’s mother, before heading to the locker room. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who were the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball, attended the game to witness the moment.
LeBron had long dreamed of playing alongside his son, first mentioning the goal when Bronny was still in high school. Despite facing health challenges—Bronny survived cardiac arrest and underwent heart surgery in 2023—he pushed forward to enter the NBA draft and joined the Lakers for preseason games.
LeBron, who is starting his 22nd NBA season, continues to be a top player in the league, averaging over 25 points per game last season. While Bronny may eventually need more playing time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, the opportunity to share the court with his father on opening night was a dream come true.
