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LeBron James couldn't hide his joy when he shared the court with his son, Bronny James, during the Lakers' season opener. Bronny, now 20, made his official NBA debut on Tuesday, Oct. 22, playing against theMinnesota Timberwolves, marking a significant milestone in the NBA as the first time a father and son have played together in a regular-season game.
LeBron, 39, who began the game with his long-time teammate Anthony Davis — fresh off helping Team USA win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics — looked as dominant as ever. He finished the night with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Meanwhile, Bronny, a former USC standout, stepped onto the floor for the first time in the second quarter. He played for three minutes but did not score any points. He recorded one rebound and no assists.
In the stands, LeBron's wife, Savannah James, proudly watched alongside their children, 17-year-old Bryce Maximus and 10-year-old Zhuri Nova, as they witnessed the historic moment at the Crypto.com Arena.
After the Lakers secured a 110-103 victory, the father-son duo shared their thoughts on the monumental occasion during a postgame interview with TNT's Taylor Rooks. Bronny, reflecting on the experience, said, "It was a surreal moment, something I’ll never forget."
LeBron expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Family has always been my top priority. To have the chance to work alongside my son on the court is one of the greatest blessings I've ever received. I'm cherishing every second of it."
Bronny’s NBA debut follows a challenging period in his life. In an interview with *Men's Health*, published on Oct. 15, Bronny opened up about his recovery from a cardiac arrest he suffered in July 2023. Doctors later discovered that he had a significant congenital heart defect, and he underwent surgery to correct it.
"My days haven't felt the same since,” Bronny shared with the magazine. “I’ve been focusing on getting back to where I was.” He explained that his recovery involved breathing exercises and a complete overhaul of his routines.
Despite these setbacks, Bronny’s determination helped him fulfill his and his father’s dream of playing in the NBA together.