In what was more than just a routine preseason matchup, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James Jr., took to the court together, marking the first time an NBA father-son duo shared the stage. This historic moment unfolded during the Los Angeles Lakers’ second exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns, leaving fans with a story to remember despite the team ultimately falling short.
The anticipation surrounding LeBron’s return was palpable. After sitting out the Lakers’ preseason opener, he donned the purple and gold once more on Sunday night. The game was set against the backdrop of family history, but it was LeBron’s performance on the floor that captured attention.
In just 16 minutes of play during the first half, LeBron proved why he’s still one of the league’s most electrifying players. He notched 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to his stat line. His performance underscored the well-preserved athleticism that continues to define his game, even at 39 years old.
Offensively, the Lakers seemed revitalized with LeBron in rotation. Although he recognized room for improvement, LeBron praised the team’s energy and execution. “We did some good things,” he commented post-game. “A couple things we could’ve done a little better. We still working on our habits.” LeBron emphasized the importance of pushing tempo and ball movement, key aspects head coach JJ Redick has been instilling in practices. The team’s cohesion was evident during their dominant first half, where they posted 69 points.
Despite LeBron and Anthony Davis resting in the third quarter, which contributed to the Lakers’ eventual loss, there was an air of optimism around the team’s performance. Redick’s emphasis on increased outside shooting and player movement showed promising early results; the Lakers appeared more fluid and connected than in their previous outing. With only a few practices under their belt, the squad is expected to gel further as the preseason unfolds.
Beyond the statistics, the emotional weight of the evening was not lost on LeBron, especially sharing the court with his son. “It was surreal,” he admitted post-game. Yet for Bronny, the moment felt like business as usual once he stepped onto the hardwood. It’s a testament to the younger James’ maturity and readiness to contribute at this level, regardless of the spotlight shining on him.
The Lakers now have several days to regroup before their next preseason fixture against the Milwaukee Bucks. This break offers a valuable opportunity to refine their strategies and build on the early promise shown against Phoenix. For Lakers fans, the debut of the James duo offered a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
