On October 23, the legendary LeBron James and his eldest son Bronny James made NBA history by becoming the first father-son duo to play together in an official game. This significant moment took place during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron and Bronny shared the court for approximately three minutes towards the end of the second quarter, with the Lakers holding a strong 51-35 lead. For LeBron, this was a long-awaited dream come true. At 39 years old, having already achieved everything in the NBA, LeBron sought to make his final mark by playing alongside his son. While father-son duos are rare in American sports, this is the first time it has ever happened in the NBA.
On the night of this milestone, legendary father-son pairs from other sports, such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. from baseball, attended the game to celebrate with the James family. However, unlike those duos, where the father was often past his prime, LeBron James remains at the peak of his abilities. He contributed 16 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes, leading the Lakers to a 110-103 victory.
In contrast, Bronny James had a quieter debut, missing a three-point shot and appearing hesitant in his movements. Despite this, Lakers head coach JJ Redick mentioned that he hadn’t made any promises about playing them together, stating, “I want everything to happen naturally, as the team’s performance is the most important.”
Bronny’s place on the Lakers roster has sparked controversy. Some fans believe the 20-year-old guard is not yet ready for the NBA, especially after facing a heart condition and concerns about his 1.88m height. ESPN speculated that Bronny James may soon be sent to the G-League for further development, which could provide the opportunity to grow at his own pace.
While this historic father-son moment will forever be etched in NBA history, the challenges ahead for Bronny James remain daunting, as he works to prove himself in the world’s most competitive basketball league.
