Lakers’ LeBron James, Bronny James make history, share court for first time in NBA in loss to Suns

PALM DESERT — It’s common to downplay the significance of preseason games since they don’t count in the official statistical or standings record books. But that doesn’t mean meaningful moments can’t happen.

And the Lakers’ 118-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at Acrisure Arena provided the best example.

When LeBron and Bronny James took the floor together at the start of the second quarter, they made history by becoming the first father and son to play together in an NBA game. And they did it as teammates.

“Not real,” LeBron said on how it felt to share the floor with Bronny. “Still trying to get a little bit used to it, but pretty cool. It’s pretty cool for the both of us and especially for our family.”

The James family’s remarkable moment coincidentally happened on Bronny’s 20th birthday, and it felt like a celebration for the 39-year-old LeBron, who has spoken about his desire for this opportunity since Bronny was in high school.

During his pregame news conference, Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t disclose whether the father and son would play at the same time, saying it would “happen in the flow of a game” and not be “gimmicky.”

And that’s exactly what happened on Sunday.

Bronny said after the game that Redick told him and LeBron earlier on Sunday that they’d share the floor against the Suns.

“I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny said. “But I just got out there and it felt like a normal game with my teammate, to be honest.”

Redick said he chose to play LeBron and Bronny alongside each other when he did because he wanted to give them a chance to play together in the preseason.

“I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this,” Redick said. “I’ve said that a few times. It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in Year 22.

“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 as well. Bronny’s such a great kid and he’s a pleasure to be around.”

The shared moments between LeBron and Bronny were scarce.

They provided full-court defensive pressure on the Suns’ opening possession of the second quarter. LeBron initiated a dribble-handoff with Bronny, who immediately got his feet set and fired a 3-point attempt after receiving the pass from his father nearly four minutes into the fourth. But Bronny’s shot hit the back of the rim.

“I was really hoping that wing three on the little side DHO had gone in,” Redick said. “That would have been a cool moment, but they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.”

The elder James, who didn’t play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, looked spry in his first exhibition, finishing with 19 points (8-of-12 shooting, 2 of 3 on 3-pointers), five rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots in 16 first-half minutes.

All-Star big man Anthony Davis, who also made his preseason debut Sunday, had 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal in 18 minutes.

“It was a special moment,” Davis said of LeBron and Bronny sharing the floor. “Obviously we want to see a play that them two make, and we’ll have time to see that throughout the preseason, throughout the season. We all kind of enjoyed that, for sure.”

LeBron and Davis didn’t play in the second half, with Max Christie (12 points) and Jaxson Hayes (five points, eight rebounds) starting the third quarter in their places. The Suns also sat their star players – Devin Booker (12 points, three assists), Kevin Durant (six points, five rebounds) and Bradley Beal (11 points) – in the second half, which the Lakers entered leading 69-57.

Rui Hachimura (13 points, eight rebounds) and D’Angelo Russell (14 points, four assists) also scored in double figures for the Lakers.

Redick acknowledged that it’s “surreal” having LeBron and Bronny on the same team.

Teammates have acknowledged how special it is to play alongside the father-son duo.

“I’ve been around those guys a good bit now, so for me, it’s really off the court,” Russell said after Saturday’s practice. “You kind of see the words of wisdom that Bron’s dropping whenever he gets the chance. Pulling his little one to the side, dropping jewels whenever he gets the chance.

“That’s a cheat to the test, right? You got somebody that has all the answers. That’s the ultimate advantage that Bronny has knowing his dad is the teacher and the test. So it’s good to have that.”

LeBron, who is entering his 22nd NBA season, has been speaking of the possible opportunity to play alongside his oldest son for several years and the Lakers made it possible when they drafted Bronny with the 55th overall pick in June. Still, he has repeatedly insisted that his son can’t call him “Dad” on the court.

“I’m always thinking about, ‘That’s my dad!’, because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “But when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all.”

LeBron and Bronny’s time on the court together in the second quarter was short-lived, with Bronny subbing out 4:09 into the second quarter and LeBron coming out 25 seconds later at the next dead ball.

But those few minutes are ones neither of them will likely ever forget.

“It’s definitely a moment that I’ll never forget,” said LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star. “It’s pretty cool.”

“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 that influence on your son, be able to have moments with your son – and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son – that’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for.”

The 6-foot-2 Bronny is expected to spend much of the upcoming season working on his game with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, but he will almost certainly get to play alongside his 6-foot-9 father in an NBA game early in the regular season. The Lakers kick off the season against the Timberwolves on Oct. 22.

“I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,’” LeBron said. “He’s young. He wants to continue to improve, and that’s what’s most important. So every time you get a moment out there, just continue to make winning plays. Continue to learn from his mistakes and make winning plays.”