Milestone Moment Marks New Chapter in Basketball Legacy
In a groundbreaking moment that transcends sports, the NBA witnessed history Tuesday night as LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son duo to share the court in a regular-season game, creating an emotional spectacle at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
A moment for the ages
The historic transition occurred with 4:00 minutes remaining in the second quarter against Minnesota, when Lakers coach J.J. Redick signaled both Jameses to check in. The crowd erupted even before the pair reached the scorer’s table, marking the beginning of 20-year-old Bronny’s official NBA career alongside his legendary father, who was starting his record-tying 22nd season.
Adding to the night’s significance, baseball pioneers Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.—who achieved a similar milestone in MLB in 1990—watched from courtside seats, commemorating the moment with a pre-game photo opportunity with the Jameses.
First family connection
The father-son chemistry was immediately put to the test when Bronny, during his 2-minute, 41-second debut stint, received a pass from his father at the three-point line. Though his shot missed, the moment epitomized the unique dynamic of their newfound professional relationship.
Journey to the milestone
“He’s his own man and just to see him continue to grow has been a treat to be able to see,” LeBron reflected at the pre-game shootaround, according to the Los Angeles Times. The elder James, now 39, particularly emphasized the poignancy of this moment following Bronny’s cardiac arrest scare in 2023 during his USC practice.
“And to know how long it kind of takes to get back to yourself, to see him be able to play in a college Division I game the same year that he had heart surgery was, like, a ‘wow’ moment,” James told reporters, per the LA Times. “And I knew that at that moment that there really was going to be nothing to stop him from getting to this — to anything that he wants to do.”
The night not only marked a personal triumph for the James family but also represented a rare achievement in American professional sports, joining the ranks of the Griffeys in baseball and the Howes in hockey as parent-child teammates at the highest level of their respective sports.