PALM DESERT, Calif. – As the Los Angeles Lakers broke away from their huddle, LeBron James and Bronny James walked onto the floor and into the NBA history books.

The Jameses opened the second quarter of the Lakers’ 118-114 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history.

“Not really,” LeBron said after the game about his feelings as a father and player. “I’m still trying to get used to it, but it’s pretty cool. It’s pretty cool for both of us and especially for our family.”

Le Bron James. Bronnie James.

The father-son duo shares the field together for the first time! 👏 pic.twitter.com/93hC7k64gK

— NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2024

LeBron said the magnitude of the moment became clear as he stood next to his son as they took their defensive assignments.

“We were standing next to each other and I kind of looked at him, and it was like, ‘Is this The Matrix or something?’” LeBron said. “It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to experience those moments with him.”

Lakers coach JJ Redick told LeBron and Bronny earlier in the day that they would be playing together for the first time.

Bronny said he was “pretty excited” once he knew he would be playing with his dad, but added that he prepared as if it was a normal game. That said, he admitted that it’s impossible to compartmentalize the situation and view his father simply as a teammate.

“I always think, ‘That’s my dad,’ because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “So I just go out there and when I play, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I think about at that moment.”

There was an extra layer to the moment: Sunday was also Bronny’s twentieth birthday. The Lakers celebrated with cake and cupcakes earlier in the day at the team hotel.

For LeBron, it was special to have that experience with his son on his birthday.

“To a dad, it means everything,” LeBron said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and influence on your son. Make sure you have moments with your son. And ultimately to be able to work with your son. I think this is one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for or wish for.”

Redick said pregame that he planned to play LeBron and Bronny within the flow of a game and not in a “gimmicky” way. With LeBron and Anthony Davis available for the first time this preseason and the Lakers trying to figure out their nine-man rotation, Redick used the start of the second quarter as that moment.

“It’s surreal,” Redick said before the game. “I am very honored to be part of history.”

LeBron made a 3-pointer and an and-1 layup with Bronny on the floor. Bronny didn’t score during the 4:09 minute period, but his father set him up for a three-pointer off a dribble handoff that Bronny missed.

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

The Sun outscored the Lakers by four points during LeBron and Bronny’s shared time on the floor in the first half. LeBron and Davis rested for the second half.

“I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,’” LeBron said after the game of his message to Bronny. “I honestly think he’s young. Just turned 20. He is young and wants to keep improving. And that’s the most important thing. So every time you have a moment, just keep making winning plays. Keep learning from his mistakes. Learn from the good things. And I think if he keeps doing that, he’s going to keep getting better and better as each moment goes on.

The Lakers drafted Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Bronny came to the NBA after just one year at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points and 19.3 minutes in 25 games.

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(Photo: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)