LeBron, Bronny James make NBA history with father-son appearance

Future basketball Hall of Famer LeBron James created more history when he appeared alongside his son Bronny for the Lakers to become the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers' US small forward #23 LeBron James (L) and Los Angeles Lakers' US guard #09 Bronny James are seen on court during the NBA game season opener between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles on October 22, 2024. LeBron and Bronny are the first father and son to play together in any NBA game. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

Future basketball Hall of Famer LeBron James created more history on Wednesday when he appeared alongside his son Bronny for the Los Angeles Lakers to become the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.

James’ illustrious resume includes four championships and four MVP trophies, but he has long aspired to don the sneakers next to his eldest boy.

Under the bright lights of NBA opening night in LA, the history-making moment that’s been decades in the making lived up to the hype.

Lakers stars LeBron and Bronny James take the court together against the Timberwolves, becoming the first father-son duo to play an offical NBA game together. Picture: AFP

With chants from the Lakers’ faithful ringing out, Bronny entered the court in the iconic purple and yellow singlet with four minutes remaining in the second quarter of the opening clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Just moments earlier James junior received some year 1 advice from his legendary father who is entering year 22 in the world’s best league.

“You ready? Just play care free... go out and play hard,” James told his son.

"You ready? Just play care free... go out and play hard."

Year 22 with a bit of advice for Year 1. https://t.co/SKNTEA4gkQpic.twitter.com/g5Trgujjzt

— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2024

Bronny, who was taken by the Lakers with the 55th pick in this year’s draft, is expected to spend the majority of the season in the second-tier G League.

But who could argue against the Lakers making the most of the opportunity to create history.

As widely expected, Bronny wasn’t brilliant, missing both scoring chances and adding one rebound in his 2 minutes and 41 seconds on the court.

Don’t be late ROOK! 🤣🤴🏾👑🫡 pic.twitter.com/zxR6O8ewJp

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 22, 2024

For a brief moment in time, though, it was all about savouring the moment of King James playing alongside his son.

The who’s who in LA were in the house for the momentous occasion, including baseball father-son duo Ken Griffey senior and junior.

First father-son duo in NBA with the first father-son duo in MLB

Griffeys 🤝 James pic.twitter.com/1T28ryKPOD

— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) October 23, 2024

The Griffey’s became the Major League Baseball’s first father and son to play together for the Seattle Mariners in 1990.

The pair were courtside in LA to watch LeBron and Bronny James recreate the historic family moment in basketball.

Lakers guard Bronny James jumps to block a shot by Timberwolves' centre Rudy Gobert. Picture: AFP

Los Angeles went on to win the game, surging to a shock 110-103 win over a strong Minnesota side aiming to take another step after making last season’s Western Conference Finals.

Bronny summed up the highlight of his historic NBA debut for the Lakers in an emotional post-game interview.

“Just going up to that scorer’s table and checking in next to my dad for the first time,” he said, grinning.

“That’s a crazy moment I’ll never forget. I’m just extremely grateful for everything. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to come into this league and to get better and learn every day.”

LeBron and Bronny James during their historic game for the Lakers against the Timberwolves. Picture: Getty Images

James senior will go down as one of the greatest basketballers ever, but he rates playing alongside his son on the NBA stage equally as special.

“It’s family. It has always been family over everything,” James said post-game.

“For me I’ve lost a lot of time committing to this league and missing a lot of his (Bronny’s things), so to be able to have this moment where I can work alongside my son is one of the greatest gifts I’ve got from the man above and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

Australian Joe Ingles struggled in his maiden appearance for the Wolves, failing to score and adding one assist in his six minutes on the floor.

As for Bronny’s long-term future in a Lakers singlet: who knows based on his underwhelming NBA debut, but for now he has joined the record books alongside his legendary father.

Originally published as LeBron, Bronny James make NBA history with father-son appearance