LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA on Tuesday night, during the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening game of the season.
The two entered the game together with four minutes to play in the second quarter, which sparked a huge ovation from the local fans, aware of the unprecedented event. LeBron had already started the game and played 13 minutes before joining his 20-year-old son to make history.
LeBron James, 39, is the leading scorer in NBA history, while LeBron James Jr. was drafted in the second round by the Lakers this summer. They are the first father and son to play at the same time in the world's premier basketball league.
Certainly, it was even less common to see a father and son duo playing on the same team.
"Are you fully ready? You can feel the intensity, right?" Just play without worries," suggested the father to his son on the bench before both entered the game. "Don't worry about mistakes. Just go out there and play hard."
LeBron and Bronny played two and a half minutes together on the court. The father missed two shots from the perimeter before making a dunk. Bronny grabbed a rebound and missed a shot where he had to push the ball towards the hoop.
Bronny's first shot in the NBA was a three-pointer that fell just short. He left the game with 1:19 minutes remaining in the second quarter, amidst another ovation.
Bronny did not re-enter the game that the Lakers won 110-103 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron, who finished with 16 points, gave an interview on the court alongside Bronny before they both headed to the locker room.
On the way, they stopped to hug Savannah James, LeBron's wife and Bronny's mother.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. were sitting courtside at the Lakers arena located downtown to witness the same story they made in the Major Leagues. The two players played together in 51 games for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991 as the first father-son duo in baseball.
The James and Griffey families gathered during pre-game warm-ups to take photos and engage in a warm conversation between two notable family lineages.
LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star selection, initially spoke about his dream of playing alongside Bronny a few years ago, while his eldest son was in high school. The dream came true after Bronny entered the draft as a teenager following his college season, and the Lakers selected him in the 55th round.
"It has been a pleasure," said LeBron during the morning shooting practice. "In the preseason, in practices, almost every day, I've been able to have him here to speed up all that about what this professional life is all about and how to prepare for each day."
The Griffeys made history 34 years ago. They both hit home runs in the same game on September 14, 1990.
Tim Raines, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, also played alongside his son for the Baltimore Orioles in 2001.