LeBron James has described playing alongside his flesh and blood Bronny James in the NBA as ‘surreal’ after the father-son duo made NBA history on Sunday evening.
Bronny, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, was brought on at the start of the second quarter to play alongside his father.
It marked the first time in NBA history when a father and son played on the same side on an NBA floor.
The younger James ended up playing a total of 13 minutes and was unable to score, going 0-for-1 and finishing with two rebounds and four turnovers.
LeBron, who sat out the Lakers’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, played a total of 16 minutes and finished with 19 points.
LeBron and Bronny James made NBA history
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The Lakers ended up losing 118-114 to the Suns, but the result played second fiddle to the real storyline of the match.
The historic moment came at the start of the second quarter when both of them took to the court together for the first time.
It was a surreal moment for LeBron, who had to keep taking a second look when on the floor with his son.
“We stood next to each other and I kinda looked at him, and it was just like, ‘Is this The Matrix or something?’” LeBron said.
“It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to have those moments out there with him.”
He added: “For a father, it means everything.
“For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence on your son.
“Be able to have moments with your son. And ultimately, to be able to work with your son.
“I think that’s one of the greatest things that a father can ever hope for or wish for.”
Bronny, who is expected to play most of the season in the G League, was similarly unable to comprehend the magnitude of the historic feat fully.
LeBron James. Bronny James.
The father-son duo share the court for the first time together! 👏 pic.twitter.com/93hC7k64gK
— NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2024
“I’m always thinking about, ‘That’s my dad’ because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said.
“So I just go out there and, when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I’m thinking at that point.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick paid credit to the father-son duo after the game and the James family as a whole.
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Bronny James and LeBron James played together in the second quarter
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“I think it speaks to LeBron’s certainly longevity but also his competitive stamina, that he is able to still be doing this in year 22,” Redick said.
“It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point.
“And really just the fatherly care and love and certainly the motherly care from Savannah (James) as well.
“Bronny is such a great kid and he’s a pleasure to be around.”