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Summary:
- LeBron James and son Bronny made history by playing the first father-son NBA game together against the Phoenix Suns.
- Bronny, who was also celebrating his 20th birthday, spent little over four minutes on the court next to his iconic dad.
- The Lakers lost the preseason game at Arcisure Arena, 114 to 118.
LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, shared a very special moment on Sunday night in the NBA preseason game the Los Angeles Lakers played against the Phoenix Suns.
The duo made NBA history as the first father and son to play together in the same game, as well as on the same team.
A Very Special 20th Birthday for Bronny
The Lakers selected the now 20-year-old son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with the 55th overall pick, following his freshman season at the University of Southern California.
This led to the historic moment that unfolded during Sunday night’s game which ended with a 118-114 loss for the James. The moment came at the start of the second quarter, when Bronny James, celebrating his 20th birthday, checked into the game and joined his father on the court.
LeBron, visibly emotional, expressed the significance of the moment. “For a father, it means everything” James said.
For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence on your son… I think that’s one of the greatest things that a father can ever hope for, or wish for.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick had informed LeBron that he and his son would likely share their first professional minutes together before the game, allowing the two to prepare for the special moment.
Redick expressed his excitement about being part of the experience: “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this. I really am. It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity… and the work that Bronny has put in.”
During their four minutes and nine seconds on the court together, father and son shared several notable moments.
They picked up full-court defense together and argued an illegal screen call on Bronny.
However, the dream of a father-son assist didn’t come to fruition, as Bronny missed a three-pointer off a hand-off from LeBron.
“I was really hoping that wing three… had gone in” Redick remarked. “But they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.”
The head coach also took the opportunity to praise LeBron’s “longevity” and “competitive stamina” that allows him to “still be doing this in year 22” as well as the hard work put in by Bronny “to get to this point”.
Is This The Matrix or Something?
LeBron, who entered his 22nd NBA season and started the game after sitting out the preseason opener, explained he was preparing as he would have normally done for a “regular game“.
However, as soon as the team came out of the timeout, he saw his son taking the ball out.
We stood next to each other and I kind of looked at him, and it was just like, ‘Is this The Matrix or something?’ It just didn’t feel real.
LeBron and teammate Anthony Davis dominated early, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively, before sitting out the second half. Bronny, meanwhile, played 13 minutes but didn’t score, missing his only shot and committing four turnovers.
Despite his offensive struggles, his defensive tenacity has impressed his teammates and coaches. “He’s tough” said Davis. “Obviously, he’s defensive-minded… But he’s also still learning“.
Bronny remains level-headed throughout his first professional season.
I’m always thinking about ‘That’s my dad, But when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate
When asked how he stayed calm during such a historic moment, James Jr. shrugged, attributing it to his nature and his journey recovering from cardiac arrest as a freshman at USC.
