LeBron James and his son, Bronny, made NBA history by sharing the court for the first time during a preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns on October 6. The father-son moment, which fell on Bronny’s 20th birthday, was deeply meaningful for LeBron, who said it felt “surreal” to stand alongside his son in an NBA game.
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, LeBron expressed how important it was for him as a father, especially since he grew up without his own dad in his life. “For a father, it means everything,” LeBron said, explaining that his challenging upbringing motivated him to provide a positive influence for his own children. LeBron’s father, Anthony McClelland, was not part of his life and had an extensive criminal record. Despite this, LeBron rose to become one of the greatest basketball players in history, building a career and family life free from scandal.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick had informed LeBron and Bronny that they’d play together against the Suns, though the timing wasn’t confirmed. When they finally stood together on the court, LeBron was struck by the reality of the moment, describing it as feeling like a scene from The Matrix. They shared the court for 4 minutes and 9 seconds in the second quarter, with some early turnovers but eventually settling into a groove. LeBron even defended Bronny to the referees after a foul call, showing a unique blend of teammate and parental support.
LeBron finished his half with an impressive 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in just 17 minutes, while Bronny recorded 2 rebounds and 4 turnovers in 14 minutes. Although the game ended with a Lakers loss (118-114), the brief time on court together marked a special milestone for the James family and hinted at more shared moments to come.
