LeBron and Bronny James Make History as the NBA’s First Father-Son Duo to Play Together
A Special Moment in NBA History
LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father and son to play in the NBA together on Tuesday night during the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Timberwolves.
LeBron’s Guidance on the Court
LeBron and Bronny checked into the game together with four minutes left in the second quarter, prompting a big ovation from a home crowd aware of the enormity of the milestone. The 39-year-old LeBron had already started the game and played 13 minutes before he teamed up with his 20-year-old son to make history.
A Historic Setback for the Ages
LeBron James is the top scorer in NBA history, while LeBron James Jr. was a second-round pick by the Lakers last summer. They are the first father and son to play in the world’s top basketball league at the same time, let alone on the same team.
A Heart-to-Heart Chat Before the Game
“Y’all ready? You see the intensity, right? Just play carefree, though,” father told son on the bench before they checked in, an exchange captured by the TNT cameras and microphones. “Don’t worry about mistakes. Just go out and play hard.”
A Historic Performance
LeBron and Bronny played 2 1/2 minutes on court together, and LeBron missed two perimeter shots before making a dunk. Bronny had an early rebound and missed a tip-in.
A Newcomer’s First NBA Game
Bronny’s first NBA jump shot was a 3-pointer that came up just short. He checked out with 1:19 left in the second quarter, getting another ovation.
A Special Guest at the Game
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. were courtside at the Lakers’ downtown arena to witness the same history they made in Major League Baseball. The two sluggers played 51 games together for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991 as baseball’s first father-son duo.
Meet the Griffeys and the Jameses
The Jameses and the Griffeys met up during pregame warmups for some photos and a warm chat between two remarkable family lines.
LeBron’s Long-Term Plan
LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and a 20-time All-Star, first spoke about his dream to play alongside Bronny a few years ago, while his oldest son was still in high school. The dream became real after Bronny entered the draft as a teenager following one collegiate season, and the Lakers grabbed him with the 55th overall pick.
A Hub for Father-Son Duos in Sports
LeBron James and Bronny James are part of a small club of father-son professional athletes who have played together. The Griffeys made history 34 years ago, and they even homered in the same game on September 14, 1990. Tim Raines and his namesake son also accomplished the feat in 2001.
A Father’s Pride
While the other family pairings on this list happened late in the fathers’ careers, LeBron shows no signs of slowing down or regressing as he begins his NBA record-tying 22nd season.
A Successful Father-Son Duo in the NBA
Bronny survived cardiac arrest and open heart surgery in the summer of 2023, and he went on to play a truncated freshman season at the University of Southern California. He declared for the draft anyway, and the Lakers eagerly used the fourth-to-last pick in the draft on the 6-foot-2 guard.
Conclusion
The Jameses’ historic moment will be remembered for years to come, and it’s a testament to the dedication and passion of the NBA players and their families. As LeBron continues to push for another title, Bronny will likely need to find a way to carve out a consistent role on the court to maximize his development.
FAQs
Q: How long will Bronny stay on the Lakers’ roster? A: The team has been vague about its plans for Bronny, and minutes are scarce with the point guards on the roster. He may end up with the South Bay Lakers of the G League to gain more experience.
Q: Is this historic moment a one-time occurrence? A: Not likely. The Jameses will continue to make their mark on the NBA court, and fans will be eager to see what’s next for the duo.
Q: What’s next for the Jameses? A: LeBron will continue to lead the Lakers, and Bronny will look to find his place on the team. With training camp and the regular season ahead, there’s much to come from this talented father-son duo.
