LeBron, Bronny first father-son duo to play in NBA regular season

LeBron James and Bronny, his son, are in the history books in the first game of the 2024 NBA regular season.

The duo became the first father-son pair to play together in an NBA regular season game Tuesday as the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves.

>📺 Los Angeles news 24/7: Watch NBC4 free wherever you are

The moment, which was expected to occur in the opener, transpired at the 4:00 mark of the second quarter. LeBron started the game under first-year head coach JJ Redick, while Bronny made his debut off the bench at this time.

Both James' checked into the game together after LeBron took a short break.

Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.

LeBron James.
Bronny James.

The first father-son duo to play together in the NBA! pic.twitter.com/naadFLoPmh
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2024

Before Bronny checked in, LeBron was mic'd up and gave advice to his son.

"You see the intensity, right?" LeBron said. "Just play carefree, though. Don't worry about mistakes, just go out and play hard."

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Santa Monica 39 mins ago

Suspected driver arrested for deadly hit-and-run in Santa Monica

Los Angeles Dodgers 3 hours ago

Teoscar Hernández re-signs with Dodgers on 3-year, $66 million deal

On Oct. 6, the two became the first father-son duo to play in the preseason together during a game against the Phoenix Suns.

Bronny entered that game as a substitute in the second quarter, which coincidentally occurred on the day of his 20th birthday.

The No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bronny is expected to play more minutes for the South Bay G League team to continue his development after a shaky preseason.

LeBron, who will turn 40 in December, will hope to lead Los Angeles to a higher seed than when it finished as No. 7 out West last season, losing to the Denver Nuggets 4-1 in the first round.

Outside of the NBA, it's a short list of father-son duos who have been able to play together. In the MLB, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. both did so in spurts during the 1990 and 1991 seasons. The Griffey's were also in attendance for the game Tuesday.