LOS ANGELES — A significant father-son milestone has just been added to the history books.

On opening night, LeBron James and his son Bronny proudly became the first-ever father-son duo to participate in the same NBA game. Bronny entered the game with just four minutes left in the second quarter, alongside his dad, contributing to the Lakers’ 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The moment LeBron and Bronny approached the scorer’s table at Crypto.com Arena, the crowd erupted in cheers, which only intensified as they stepped onto the court.

“I definitely felt the energy in the arena,” said Bronny after the match, expressing gratitude to the Laker Nation for their overwhelming support.

This historic moment marked not only their participation in the same game but as teammates as well. LeBron, aged 39, and Bronny, 20, donned the Lakers’ signature purple and gold uniforms—akin to matching family outfits. LeBron expressed that he would cherish this experience forever.

“No matter how old I get or how my memories fade…” LeBron shared. “I will always remember that moment.”

The crowd was elated when LeBron and Bronny joined the game together while the Lakers held a 51-35 lead. All eyes were fixated on them.

A wave of disappointment echoed through the arena when Bronny opted to pass rather than take a shot. Later, there was a collective gasp when he missed a wide-open 3-pointer. He attempted another shot—a tip-in— that was blocked by Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert. While he did grab an offensive rebound, the statistics will reflect little of his notable moments during the game.

During the game, Bronny managed to guard Minnesota’s star player, Anthony Edwards, who subsequently missed a shot.

With 1:19 left in the first half, Bronny exited the game with the Lakers leading 53-42 and did not return to play.

“I felt pretty good about my time on the court,” Bronny said, sharing his initial nerves before the game. “Once I got on the court and started playing, those nerves just disappeared. It was a great experience.”

Sitting alongside his father, Bronny discussed their shared feelings as LeBron reminisced about his own nerves from his first game in 2003.

“As you mentioned,” Bronny replied, “stepping onto the court for the first time was a little daunting, but once I began playing, I found my rhythm. I felt good overall.”

However, LeBron highlighted that their attention wasn’t solely on the historical significance of the moment.

“We didn’t want it to be a spectacle,” he explained. “Our goal was to focus on the team and play the style of basketball our coaches and teammates expect from us.”

Among the enthusiastic audience were another iconic father-son pair—former MLB stars Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who made history themselves when they played together in their first game for the Seattle Mariners on August 31, 1990.

When informed that the Griffeys were attending, Bronny expressed his excitement.

“It’s going to be incredible,” he remarked. “Only two families have achieved this, so it’s going to be a wild experience, especially considering their legacy.”

In recent years, LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, expressed a desire to play alongside his eldest son.

There were moments when it seemed like that dream might not materialize. Over a year ago, Bronny experienced a cardiac arrest that cast doubt on his future health and basketball career while preparing for his first season at Southern California.

He made his season debut after missing the first nine games.

After averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists during his time at Southern California, Bronny declared for the NBA draft, despite concerns about his readiness to transition to professional basketball.

The Lakers selected him in the second round, making him the 55th overall pick.

LeBron and Bronny shared the court during Bronny’s first game of a challenging preseason. Over six games, he shot 9-of-37, including 1-for-12 from beyond the arc. Yet, he showcased his athleticism and defensive awareness leading up to the 2024-25 regular season.

“… It’s been a pleasure, working with him during preseason, helping him adjust to the professional lifestyle and preparing every day as a professional athlete,” LeBron remarked during Lakers shootaround Tuesday morning, according to ESPN.