PALM DESERT, Calif.–LeBron James and his son Bronny James made history Sunday night as the first father and son to play together in an NBA game in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 118-114 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns at the Arcisure Arena.

The historic moment came early in the second quarter when James Jr., celebrating his 20th birthday, entered the game and joined his father on the field.

“To a father, it means everything,” James 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. To be able to 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.”

James said Lakers coach JJ Redick told him he and his son would likely play their first minutes together as professionals before the game. It allowed them both to prepare for the moment, even if they didn’t know exactly when it would come.

“I just wanted to give them a chance to play together in the preseason … within the flow of the game,” Redick said. “I’m glad to be a part of this. I really am. It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it says something about LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s still doing this in year 22 can do. 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 is such a great kid and it’s a pleasure to be with him.”

Although they only played together for 4 minutes and 9 seconds, there were several memorable moments. First when they each took full defense as the Lakers tried to shore up their transition defense, and then when the elder James stood next to his son as they argued over an illegal screen call on James Jr.

The only moment that didn’t pan out was the father-son assist, when James Jr. missed a three-pointer after a dribble hand-off with his father.

“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 elder James, who is entering his 22nd season, has spoken for years about his desire to play alongside his eldest son and the Lakers have put father and son in a position to make history with Bronny James Jr. to be drafted with the 55th overall pick in June.

“I’m preparing for the game like it’s a normal game,” James said. “But the moment we came out of the timeout and he picked up the full court and I went up — because my guy took the ball out. We were standing next to each other and I kind of looked at him, and it was just like, ‘Is this The Matrix or something?’ It just didn’t feel real.”

James, 39, started Sunday’s game after sitting out Friday’s opening preseason game. He and Olympic teammate Anthony Davis appeared to have an early lead, leading LA in the first half with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting and 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, respectively. Neither played in the second half.

James Jr. didn’t score in his 13:25 of action, missed the only shot he made and committed four turnovers. He is still a work-in-progress offensively, but has impressed teammates and coaches with his defensive work ethic.

“He’s tough,” Davis said of the younger James. “Obviously he’s defensive-minded. Some great blocks, play one. The physicality. He comes across on screens, good with his hands in terms of deflections and steals. But he’s also still learning. He’s still trying everything so we have to realize that. He’s still a newcomer, and this is a different style of basketball in the league. But I like what I see from him, on both ends of the court, especially defensively.”

James Jr. has been remarkably even-keeled throughout the process of being selected by the Lakers, his first professional camp and now working with his father.

“I always think, ‘That’s my dad,’ because that’s literally my dad,” James Jr. 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.”

When asked how he remained so calm while going through the history of this experience, James Jr. shrugs. It’s his nature, but also a byproduct of the experience he’s been through the past two years, coming back from cardiac arrest as a freshman at USC.

“It’s just taking everything that’s happened to me this year, getting up every day and continuing to work,” he said. “Just finding fuel every day to get up and get going.

“JJ has really emphasized the defensive end and being a pest on the defense. So that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on.”