Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James played his first game alongside his eldest son, Bronny James, in a preseason matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Despite the Lakers losing 114-118 at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, the historic moment between father and son stood out.
LeBron, who led the game with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists in just 16 minutes, shared his feelings postgame. Bronny, coming off the bench, went scoreless in 13 minutes of play.
“Not real. Still kind of get a little bit used to it, but it’s pretty cool… It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget. It’s pretty cool,” LeBron said. The game marked an emotional milestone for the family, happening on Bronny’s 20th birthday.
The father-son duo’s first appearance together was made even more meaningful as it took place on Bronny’s 20th birthday. LeBron emphasized how much this milestone meant to him as a father.
“For a father, it means everything,” LeBron shared. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have those moments, it’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for or wish for.”
LeBron also praised Bronny for his resilience, referencing the health challenges Bronny faced last year. “He came out of that and continued to work… He’s doing it every single day,” LeBron said. He noted that Bronny’s focus on self-improvement has been key to his progress, with hopes of being drafted into the NBA.
The Lakers legend also spoke about a surreal moment during the game when the two found themselves next to each other on the court. “It just didn’t feel real,” LeBron said, comparing the moment to a scene from “The Matrix.”
LeBron’s advice to Bronny after the game was simple: keep improving. “He’s young, just turned 20, and he wants to continue to improve. Every time we get a moment out there, it’s about making winning plays and learning from both mistakes and successes,” LeBron explained.