LeBron and Bronny James Make NBA History as First Father-Son Duo to Play Together
In a moment for the history books, LeBron James and his son Bronny shared the court as Los Angeles Lakers teammates for the first time during Tuesday night's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With four minutes left in the second quarter, the father-son duo stepped onto the court together, becoming the first pair to play in an NBA game simultaneously.
At the time of their entrance, the Lakers held a 51-35 lead over the Timberwolves. LeBron, who started the game as usual, was instrumental in building that early advantage. While this marked another season opener for LeBron, who is entering his 22nd NBA season, it was a special milestone for Bronny, making his debut as a rookie. Drafted out of USC in the second round, Bronny donned the Lakers' #09 jersey, while his father continued to wear the iconic #23.
LeBron, who was mic'd up for the TNT broadcast, shared a brief but heartfelt moment with his son before they hit the court, advising Bronny to play hard and "just play carefree."
Bronny played just under three minutes in the second quarter, grabbing an offensive rebound but missing both of his shot attempts. Despite the missed opportunities, the Lakers continued to dominate, heading into halftime with a 55-42 lead. LeBron contributed eight points on 4-of-7 shooting during the first half.
Adding to the historic atmosphere was the presence of MLB legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball. The Griffeys, who teamed up with the Seattle Mariners in the early 1990s, were seated courtside to witness this new chapter in father-son sports history.
Bronny, 20 years old, begins his NBA journey while his father, LeBron, at age 39, remains one of the league's most dominant players. As the game continued, the emotional weight of the moment was evident, with the two generations of James sharing the court in a feat never before seen in NBA history.
The journey of LeBron, who made his NBA debut at 19 years old with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, has now come full circle as he plays alongside his son, continuing to solidify his legacy both as a player and a father. Bronny's debut, though brief, signals the start of what could be a promising career, with his dad's guidance close at hand.
