LeBron James Shares the Court with Bronny in Historic First NBA Game with a Father-Son Duo

Mar. 15, 2025

LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers share the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 22, 2024.Photo:Harry How/Getty

Harry How/Getty

LeBron Jameswas all smiles when he briefly shared the court with his sonBronnyas the Lakers rookie made his debut in the NBA regular season.

Bronny, 20, took the floor of the Lakers' opening night game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, Oct. 22, marking the USC alum’s first minutes playing in the pro-league.

It was a historic moment, marking the first time a father-son duo have played together in the NBA.

LeBron, 39, started the game alongside his longtime teammateAnthony Davis, who helped Team USA secure the gold medal at the2024 Paris Olympicsthis offseason.

Lebron scored 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Bronny, who played for three minutes in the second quarter, score no points, one rebound and zero assists.

LeBron James and Bronny James.AP Photo/Eric Thayer

AP Photo/Eric Thayer

LeBron’s wife,Savannah James, was in the crowd with Bronny’s siblings,Bryce Maximus, 17, and Zhuri Nova, 10, at the Crypto.com to cheer on her husband and son.

As for LeBron, “It’s always been family over everything. To be able to have this moment working still and working alongside my son, it’s one of the greatest gifts I got from the man above and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

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Ken Griffey Sr., Ken Griffey Jr., Bronny James and LeBron James.Allen Berezovsky/Getty

Allen Berezovsky/Getty

Bronny’s debut comes shortly after the Lakers rookie opened up aboutsuffering a cardiac arrestin July 2023 for a new interview withMen’s Health,published Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“My days aren’t normal anymore,” Bronny revealed to the magazine. “I still feel like I’m getting back, I’m getting back to where I was.”

Bronny James speaks to Lakers reporters.Ronald Martinez/Getty

Ronald Martinez/Getty

In August 2023, doctorsdiagnosedBronny with “an anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect” and he underwent surgery before beginning his rehabilitation process.

LeBron’s eldest son said he focused on getting “on top of my routines to get back to where I was,” while recovering last summer. “I had to do breathing exercises and stuff. It was a total reset," he shared.

But Bronny was able to make it to the NBA, and fulfill their dream of playing together.

source: people.com