LeBron, Bronny become first father-and-son duo to play in NBA game, albeit a preseason tilt

Posted by Admin October 7, 2024 NBA

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PALM DESERT, Calif. — The wait is over.

LeBron James and his son Bronny played together in an NBA game Sunday night, marking the first time it’s happened in league history.

LeBron and Bronny were on the court at the start of the second quarter. At one point, LeBron fed Bronny a short pass on the right wing and Bronny missed a 3-pointer. Bronny also traveled on another possession, had an offensive foul and three turnovers before leaving the game with 7:51 left in the quarter. LeBron fared better than Bronny during their stretch on the floor together. He had a turnover, but made a 3-pointer and a layup and had three rebounds. LeBron and Bronny were on the court together for four minutes and nine seconds.

The Suns outscored the Lakers 10-5 when LeBron and Bronny were on the floor together

Granted, it was a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. But history was made — 125 miles east of Los Angeles in the home arena of The Firebirds, a minor league hockey team.

For years LeBron James has said it he wanted to play with Bronny before retiring. But by many measures, it was an improbable moment.

Bronny, who turned 20 on Sunday, suffered a cardiac arrest less than 15 months ago. And LeBron James, 39, has floated the idea of retirement in recent years.

But a new era dawned Sunday when father and son took the court.

Before the game, Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick addressed the unprecedented situation of coaching a father-and-son combination that happens to include the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

“Surreal,’’ was the word Redick picked to describe it.

“But I’m not going to treat that dynamic or Bronny any differently… I’ll coach him and manage him like I would Max (Christie) or Austin (Reaves).

Redick said he also wouldn’t script the moment LeBron James and Bronny James first took the court together.

“No, it’s going to happen in the flow of the game, whether that’s tonight and certainly in the regular season when it matters,’’ he said.

LeBron sat out the Lakers’ preseason opener Friday.

As LeBron watched, Bronny got a rousing ovation when he scored his first points in a layup in the fourth quarter. He finished 1-for-6 from the floor but had a game-high three blocks, a rebound, an assist and a turnover in 16 minutes.