Los Angeles (AP) — LeBron James and his son Bronny made history Tuesday night as they became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener.
With four minutes remaining in the second quarter, both LeBron and Bronny entered the game together, receiving a heartfelt ovation from the crowd, who recognized the significance of the moment. LeBron had been on the court for 13 minutes prior to teaming up with his 20-year-old son.
At 39 years old, LeBron James is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, while LeBron James Jr. was selected by the Lakers as a second-round pick last summer. This milestone marks the first time a father and son have played in the league simultaneously, particularly on the same team.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who were present at the Lakers’ arena, reflected on their own historic achievements in Major League Baseball. The Griffeys played together for 51 games with the Seattle Mariners in the early ’90s, marking baseball’s first father-son pairing.
During pregame warmups, the Jameses and Griffeys took the opportunity to capture photos and share a moment together, celebrating the legacy of their respective families.
LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star, had expressed his wish to play alongside Bronny several years ago, before his son completed high school. That dream materialized after Bronny entered the draft following one collegiate season, and the Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick.