The Lakers selected LeBron’s 20-year-old son in the NBA Draft this June, marking the first time a father and son have played on the same team.

LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny James, made NBA history as they appeared on the court together for the first time as teammates for the Los Angeles Lakers. This highly anticipated moment occurred during the Lakers’ preseason matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in Palm Desert, California. Though the Lakers ultimately lost 118-114, the game will be remembered for the significance of this father-son pairing.

The historic moment came at the start of the second quarter when both LeBron and Bronny took the floor together. LeBron James, as expected, put on an astounding performance, scoring 19 points in just 16 minutes and 20 seconds of play before sitting out the second half. In contrast, Bronny found the going tougher during his 13 minutes on the court. He didn’t score any points, attempting just one shot throughout his time in the game. Despite his struggles, the experience was a momentous occasion for the James family.

“It was cool for both of us, especially for our family,” said LeBron, who recently turned 39. Playing alongside Bronny held personal significance for the NBA legend. Bronny, who celebrated his 20th birthday on the same day, fulfilled a dream by sharing the court with his father. LeBron reflected on the experience: “It’s a moment I’ll never forget. As a father, it means everything. For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son, to be able to have moments with your son, to work with your son—that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”

LeBron further described a special moment during the game when the two were standing next to each other after a timeout. “We came out of a timeout and we kind of stood next to each other. I kind of looked at him. It was like being in The Matrix or something. It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to have those moments,” he said.

The anticipation surrounding LeBron and Bronny’s first game together had been building since Bronny was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This game marked the culmination of years of speculation about when the father-son duo would finally appear together in an NBA lineup.

New Lakers head coach, JJ Redick, also acknowledged the importance of the occasion. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this,” Redick said after the game. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to the longevity of LeBron and his competitive stamina. And it speaks to the work that Bronny has done to get to this point.” Redick decided to introduce Bronny to the floor while the Lakers were leading 34-25 in the second quarter.

LeBron James, now entering his 22nd season in the NBA, has made it clear that playing alongside Bronny has given him new motivation as he continues his illustrious career. “It’s a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day, and be able to see him continue to grow,” LeBron said. “We push each other. He pushes me. I push him. We push our teammates, and vice versa. So, it’s just a very joyous moment not only for myself but for our family. It’s pretty awesome. Gives you a lot of life.”

Despite the challenges Bronny faces in carving out his own path in the NBA, he is driven to prove that he belongs in the league. During the Lakers’ recent media day, Bronny addressed the criticism that he has only secured his place on the team because of his father’s superstar status. “I’m just taking all that stuff, that criticism and backlash that people have given me, and turning it into something that can fuel me,” Bronny said.

Although Bronny is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the developmental G League rather than with the Lakers’ main squad, he remains focused on improving his game and silencing his doubters.

The Lakers will officially open their 2024-25 regular season campaign on October 22 with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the team is preparing for a new season, the preparatory matchup against the Suns will be remembered as a landmark moment in NBA history, showcasing the unique bond between LeBron and Bronny James, and the possibilities of what could come.