LeBron James and his son Bronny James are poised to make NBA history as the first father-son duo to play in an official NBA game together. According to new ESPN Senior Insider Shams Charania who was ‘Get Up’, the historic moment could happen as soon as the Lakers’ opening night on October 22nd, 2024, when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers are expected to play Bronny James with LeBron James on opening night, per @ShamsCharania
"We're going to be seeing history very, very soon."👀
(🎥 @GetUpESPN )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 10, 2024
“We’re going to be seeing history very, very soon. The expectation on the Lakers is that their debut together, the first father-son duo in NBA history to play at the same time in a game, will be as soon as opening night October 22nd against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home at Crypto.com Arena.”
“From everything I’m told, that is the plan, that is the hope. But again, it’s up to JJ Redick, LeBron James, and I guess their comfortability. JJ Redick has said publicly that he’s going to involve both LeBron James and Bronny James in that process.”
“And so I think that is a process we’ll see play out. But this is a player, Bronny James, four-year contract, second-round draft pick. This is gonna be a developmental year for him in a lot of ways.”
“He’s gonna spend a lot of time on the active roster, a lot of time also in the G League when that starts in November. So we’re gonna see a player who went through a lot of medical stuff last year with a cardiac arrest. He’s still finding his footing and that’s how we’re gonna see him this year in a developmental year.”
The timing of this historic moment couldn’t be more significant. LeBron, in his 22nd season, has been vocal about his desire to share the court with his eldest son. This has been a key narrative for several years, with fans eagerly awaiting the day they would witness LeBron pass on the torch to Bronny, not just metaphorically, but in an actual NBA game. For LeBron, this has long been a personal milestone. The fact that it’s becoming a reality adds to his already legendary career.
Bronny, selected as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, enters the league with high expectations despite facing medical challenges over the past year, including a cardiac arrest during the summer of 2023.
The 19-year-old has shown resilience and determination to return to the court, and his progress has been closely monitored by the Lakers’ medical staff. While his debut is anticipated to be developmental in nature, the significance of the moment transcends his on-court role. For the James family, this is about legacy, unity, and the culmination of years of hard work and shared dreams.
Charania highlighted that Bronny will likely spend much of his rookie year in a developmental phase. He will have a significant presence on the Lakers’ active roster, while also gaining valuable playing time in the G League once it begins in November. This approach will allow Bronny to gradually find his rhythm, especially as he continues to recover from his health scare.
The Lakers’ new head coach, JJ Redick, is expected to play a crucial role in managing this historic father-son dynamic. Redick has publicly stated that he will work closely with both LeBron and Bronny to ensure their comfort with the arrangement and to strategically integrate Bronny into the team. While this is Bronny’s first season in the NBA, LeBron’s veteran presence will serve as a guiding force, ensuring his son’s development while they share the court.
The first official game where LeBron and Bronny take the court together will be an unprecedented moment in NBA history. It will symbolize not only the incredible longevity of LeBron’s career but also a rare and special bond between father and son, united by their passion for basketball. Fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness this historic moment, which will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the 2024-25 NBA season.
