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LeBron, Bronny James Make History As First Father-Son Duo In NBA

The duo appeared together at the start of the second quarter in the Lakers’ 118-114 preseason defeat to the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, east of Los Angeles.


LeBron, Bronny James Make History As First Father-Son Duo In NBA

 

LeBron James and his eldest son Bronny James claimed a piece of NBA history on Sunday after making their long-awaited first appearance alongside each other for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The duo appeared together at the start of the second quarter in the Lakers’ 118-114 preseason defeat to the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, east of Los Angeles.

While LeBron James impressed with 19 points in just 16min 20sec on court before sitting out the second half, Bronny found the going harder with zero points in just over 13 minutes on court. The younger James attempted just one shot.

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the court during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

“It was cool for both of us, especially our family,” LeBron James, 39, said afterwards of playing alongside Bronny, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday. “It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget.

“As a father it means everything. For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son, to be able to have moments with your son, to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”

James Sr. admitted though that there were moments on court that felt surreal.

“We came out of a timeout and we kind of stood next to each other. I kind of looked at him. It was like being in ‘The Matrix’ or something. It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to have those moments.”

 

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball against Anthony Davis #3 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

 

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Anticipation about when the James duo would become the first father-son duo to appear in the same NBA lineup together has built since the Lakers picked Bronny with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft in June.

“I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this,” new Lakers coach J.J. Redick said Sunday after the James double-act.

“It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to the longevity of LeBron and his competitive stamina. And it speaks to the work that Bronny has done to get to this point.”

Redick introduced Bronny James to the floor with the Lakers leading 34-25 in the second quarter.

 

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: The Phoenix Suns bench reacts after a basket during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

LeBron James has said that playing with Bronny on the same team has given him a new lease on life as he enters the 22nd season of a glittering career.

“It’s a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day and be able to see him continue to grow,” James said.

“We push each other. He pushes me. I push him. We push our teammates, and vice versa. So it’s just a very joyous moment not only for myself, but for our family.

“So it’s pretty awesome. Gives you a lot of life.”

 

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

Bronny said at the Lakers recent media day he was fueled by the words of critics who have suggested he owes his place on the Lakers roster entirely to his superstar father.

“I’m just taking all that stuff, that criticism and backlash that people have given me and turning it into something that can fuel me,” he said.

Bronny James is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the developmental G-League rather than the Lakers senior squad.

 

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives against D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Acrisure Arena on October 06, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

The Lakers open their 2024-2025 regular season campaign with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.

AFP