Bronny James received a boost of encouragement from his father, LeBron James, after making his NBA preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. As the two move closer to potentially sharing the court for the first time, LeBron expressed his pride in Bronny’s journey.
In the Lakers’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Acrisure Arena, Bronny scored two points and showcased his defensive prowess with three blocked shots. While LeBron sat out the preseason opener, he was there on the bench, cheering for his son.
“There was some stuff we talked about,” Bronny shared, referring to his conversation with LeBron. “I’d rather not go into detail, but it was all about support—‘Keep working hard, keep being confident in yourself.’ Just stuff like that.”
After Saturday’s practice, LeBron reflected on his son’s progress, especially considering the challenges Bronny has faced over the past year. “It was great to see Bronny out there,” LeBron remarked, noting the significant changes in Bronny’s life since he was in high school just 16 months ago.
Bronny faced a serious health scare when he experienced cardiac arrest in July 2023. Following this, he played a partial season at the University of Southern California before entering the NBA draft, where he was selected by the Lakers in the second round.
“Every rank that you climb is always an adjustment,” LeBron explained. “Whether it’s middle school, high school, USC, or now the pros, he has to adapt. The more time he spends on the floor with professionals, the better he’ll get. He missed almost a third of last season due to his condition, but he’s improving every day and putting in the work.”
During his 16 minutes of play, Bronny went 1-for-6 from the field, but his defensive skills stood out. Lakers coach JJ Redick described him as “disruptive” to opponents, highlighting Bronny’s ability to impact the game defensively.
For Bronny, this debut was an important milestone but just one step in a larger journey. “I’d say it’s a game for new beginnings,” he said. “I’m just trying to get a feel for the game and get comfortable, like I did in summer league. It feels similar—just going out there and feeling things out.”
Excitingly, Bronny may have the chance to play alongside LeBron for the first time on Sunday night when the Lakers host the Phoenix Suns. This game also marks Bronny’s 20th birthday, making it a particularly special occasion.
Both LeBron and Anthony Davis are confirmed to play against the Suns, as Redick announced on Saturday. They had rested during Friday’s game to recover after a rigorous week of training camp, which followed a summer filled with international competition, including winning gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
LeBron emphasized the importance of building on their practice efforts moving forward. “We were very intent on what we want to accomplish,” he stated. “Friday was one of those first games. It’s been a while since a lot of guys played in a game setting, and it showed.”
As the anticipation grows for the possibility of a father-son pairing on the court, both LeBron and Bronny are focused on making the most of their opportunities. The upcoming game promises to be a significant moment in their shared basketball journey, capturing the attention of fans and marking a historic occasion in the NBA.
