LeBron James and Bronny James made historical past by turning into the primary father and son duo to play within the NBA collectively through the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron and Bronny checked into the sport along with 4 minutes left within the second quarter, prompting an enormous ovation from a house crowd conscious of the enormity of the milestone.
The 39-year-old LeBron had already began the sport and performed 13 minutes earlier than he teamed up together with his 20-year-old son to make historical past, making them the primary father and son to play within the NBA on the identical time.
“Y’all ready? You see the intensity, right? Just play carefree, though,” father advised son on the bench earlier than they checked in, an trade captured by the cameras. “Don’t worry about mistakes. Just go out and play hard.”
LeBron and Bronny performed two-and-a-half minutes on court docket collectively, with LeBron lacking two perimeter pictures earlier than making a dunk, whereas Bronny had an early rebound and missed a tip-in.
Bronny’s first NBA bounce shot was a three-pointer that got here up simply brief. He checked out with 1:19 left within the second quarter, getting one other ovation, however didn’t play once more within the Lakers’ 110-103 victory.
“It has been a treat,” LeBron mentioned about enjoying alongside his son forward of the season opener. “In pre-season, the practices, just every day … bringing him up to speed of what this professional life is all about, and how to prepare every day as a professional.”
LeBron and Bronny watched on throughout Los Angeles Lakers’ victory
LeBron scored 16 factors, whereas Anthony Davis impressed with 36 factors and 16 rebounds. Rui Hachimura added 18 factors for the Lakers, who earned a victory on JJ Redick’s teaching debut.
Historic night time for the James household
LeBron James is the highest scorer in NBA historical past, whereas LeBron James Jr was a second-round choose by the Lakers final summer season. The pair did a post-match interview after stopping within the tunnel to hug Savannah James, LeBron’s spouse and Bronny’s mom.
Ken Griffey Sr and Ken Griffey Jr had been courtside on the Lakers’ downtown enviornment to witness the identical historical past they made in Main League Baseball. The 2 sluggers performed 51 video games collectively for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991 as baseball’s first father-son duo.
The James duo and the Griffeys met up throughout pre-game warm-ups for some photographs and a chat between two outstanding household strains.
LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and a 20-time All-Star, first spoke about his dream to play alongside Bronny a number of years in the past, whereas his oldest son was nonetheless in highschool.
The dream turned actual after Bronny entered the draft as a youngster following one collegiate season, and the Lakers grabbed him with the fifty fifth total choose, with the pair now becoming a member of a small membership of father-son skilled athletes to have performed collectively.
LeBron spent the summer season in Europe with Group USA on the Paris Olympics, whereas Bronny performed for the Lakers in summer season league. They began practising along with the Lakers earlier than coaching camp, then first performed collectively throughout a pre-season sport earlier this month.
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LeBron James mentioned he was feeling ‘pure pleasure’ enjoying within the Lakers’ coaching camp alongside son Bronny
What subsequent for Bronny?
The Lakers have declined to take a position on how lengthy Bronny will keep on their NBA roster. Los Angeles additionally has level guards D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino, which probably makes minutes scarce for Bronny, who probably wants common enjoying time to boost his sport.
These components add as much as point out Bronny is more likely to find yourself with the affiliate South Bay Lakers of the G League at some point. LeBron and Redick have each spoken positively concerning the South Bay staff, saying participant improvement is a key a part of the Lakers organisation.
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