LeBron James continues to make history, this time with his son.
During the NBA playoff game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets on Saturday, April 19, James and his son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr, became the first father-son duo in NBA history to play together in a postseason game.
“There’s a lot of crazy things that’s been going on this year,” LeBron told reporters after the 107-98 win in Game 1 of the series. “I mean, I was on the floor with my son in a playoff game. That’s probably the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me in my career.”
LeBron went on to describe the significance of the moment for him and his entire family being in the arena for the game.
“It was just so cool to be out there with [Bronny],” LeBron, 41, said. “With his brother (Bryce) and sister (Zhuri) and mom (Savannah James) in the building. And his grandma.”
He continued, “That’s just insane. My mom gets to watch her son and her grandson during the playoffs. That’s crazy.”
The two shared some words on the court at the start of the second quarter, when Bronny, 21, was subbed into the game with LeBron already on the court.
LeBron and Bronny James Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The four-time NBA champion recorded a double-double in the playoff win with 19 points and 13 assists. Bronny played just four minutes during the game, but the two were on the court together for that time.
Playing with his son has been a big goal for LeBron over the last few years, before his 23-year career inevitably comes to an end.
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” LeBron told ESPN in 2023. “Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him. … But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal, for sure. … I’m here already, so I’m just waiting on him.”
LeBron officially reached that goal in October 2024, when the two made history as the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. Fair to say they leveled up on Saturday.
It’s yet to be seen how much Bronny plays for the remainder of the playoffs, but injuries to Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could open up some opportunities for Bronny to see more minutes down the stretch.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles.
