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Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Senior Writer
PALM DESERT, Calif.– LeBron James and his son Bronny James made history Sunday night as the first father and son to play together in an NBA game in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 118-114 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns at Arcisure Arena.
The historic moment came at the start of the second quarter when James Jr., who was celebrating his 20th birthday, checked into the game and joined his father on the court.
“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. Be able to have moments with your son. And ultimately, to be able to work with your son. I think that’s one of the greatest things that a father can ever hope for, or wish for.”
James said that Lakers coach JJ Redick had told him that he and his son would likely play their first minutes together as professionals before the game. It allowed both of them to prepare for the moment, even though they didn’t know exactly when it would come.
WOW THAT WAS SURREAL!! 🥺🥺🥺🙌🏾🙌🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 7, 2024
“Just wanted to get them a chance to play together in preseason … within the flow of the game,” Redick said. “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, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in year 22. It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point and really just the fatherly care and love, and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well.
“Bronny’s such a great kid and he’s a pleasure to be around.”
While they only played together for 4 minutes and 9 seconds, there were several memorable moments. First when they each picked up full court on defense as the Lakers tried to shore up their transition defense, then when the elder James stood next to his son as they argued an illegal screen call on James Jr.
The only moment that didn’t come to fruition was the father-son assist, when James Jr. missed a 3-pointer off a dribble hand-off with his father.
“I was really hoping that wing three on the little side DHO had gone in,” Redick said. “That would have been a cool moment, but they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.”
The elder James, who is entering his 22nd season, has been speaking of his desire to play alongside his eldest son for several years and the Lakers put father and son in position to make history by drafting Bronny James Jr. with the 55th overall pick in June.
“I’m prepping for the game like it’s regular game,” James said. “But the moment when we came out of the timeout and he was picking up full court and I went up — because my guy was 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.”
James, 39, started Sunday’s game after sitting out the preseason opener Friday. He and Olympic teammate Anthony Davis seemed to have a spring in their step early on, leading LA in the first half with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, respectively. Neither played in the second half.
James Jr. did not score in his 13:25 of action, missing the only shot he took and committing four turnovers. He is still very much a work-in-progress offensively, but has impressed teammates and coaches with his work ethic defensively.
“He’s tough,” Davis said of the younger James. “Obviously, he’s defensive-minded. Some great blocks, game one. The physicality. He gets over on screens, good with his hands as far as deflection and steals. But he’s also still learning. He’s still trying to figure everything out, so we have to realize that. He’s still a rookie — and this is a different style of basketball in the league. But I like what I’m seeing from him, on both ends of the floor, especially defensively.”
James Jr. has been remarkably even-keeled throughout the process of being drafted by the Lakers, going through his first professional camp and now playing alongside his father.
“I’m always thinking about ‘That’s my dad’ because that’s literally my dad,” James Jr. said. “So, I just go out there and, when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I’m thinking at that point.”
When asked how he remained so calm playing through the history of this experience, James Jr. shrugged. It’s his nature, but also a byproduct of the experience he’s been through the last two years, coming back from a cardiac arrest while a freshman at USC.
“It’s just taking everything that has happened to me during this year, getting up and continuing to work every day,” he said. “Just finding fuel every day to get up and start working.
“JJ has really emphasized the defensive end and being a pest on defense. So that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on stepping on the floor.”