LeBron James delivered a strong endorsement of his son Bronny James after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 137-130 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Dan Woike after the game, the four-time champion reflected on the journey that led to Bronny sharing the court with him during a meaningful stretch of the victory.
“Especially knowing the path, you know, the road …,” James told The Athletic. “So, just proud of him. I’m super proud of him. And he belongs. He belongs.”
The moment came during a game where Los Angeles needed energy from its bench due to injuries.
Marcus Smart was sidelined with an ankle injury, while Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton also missed the contest, prompting the coaching staff to turn to the second-year guard.
Bronny entered late in the first quarter with the Lakers already building momentum behind Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles led by 17 when the 21-year-old checked in and extended the margin to 22 during his stint in the second quarter.
For LeBron, the moment carried significance beyond the scoreboard.
“Real, meaningful minutes. I couldn’t dream of better. I couldn’t dream of something better than that. Just couldn’t,” James told The Athletic.
The 41-year-old forward emphasized that his son’s development over the past year has justified his place on an NBA roster.
“For him to go out and, you know, I mean obviously he’s… he’s shown over this — almost two years, year and a half — his progression,” James said. “And why he belongs in this league. And what he can do in this league.”
The experience of sharing the floor together added another layer to the moment.
“So, for the coaching staff to trust him tonight, and for him to have significant playing time and make … make plays — and for me to be out there on the floor with him — that’s … I couldn’t, I couldn’t dream of a better feeling than that. I could not.”
Bronny has appeared in 33 games for Los Angeles this season, averaging 2.1 points, 1.2 assists and 0.4 steals in 7.2 minutes per game while shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
He has also spent time in the G League, averaging 13.3 points and 3.8 assists in 18 games with the South Bay Lakers this season.
The Lakers, led by Doncic’s 43 points against Indiana, improved to 47-26 and sit third in the Western Conference standings while winning 10 of their last 11 games.
Los Angeles returns home Friday to host the Brooklyn Nets.
