LeBron and Bronny James make history as the first father and son to play in an NBA game together

CNN
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One of the most prestigious franchises in sports, the Los Angeles Lakers have experienced numerous historic moments, including 17 championships. But on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the team achieved a first in NBA history when Lakers star LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game.

The 39-year-old James, playing in his record-breaking 22nd NBA season, was expected to be in the Lakers' starting lineup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bronny, 20, making his NBA debut, joined his father on the court with four minutes left in the second quarter. The two entered the game together and immediately got to work to the applause of the fans.

The Lakers faithful at Crypto.com Arena cheered and took photos and videos as history was made on opening day of the NBA's 79th season.

In a quiet father-son moment before stepping into the spotlight, LeBron gave Bronny some last-minute advice that was captured on a TNT Sports microphone.

“You see the intensity, right?” asked LeBron. “But just play it lighthearted. Don't worry about mistakes. Just go out there and play hard.”

The younger James played about two and a half minutes in his first shift on the court in a regular-season NBA game. He shot 0-2 and had one rebound in that time.

At the beginning of October, LeBron and Bronny played on the court at the same time – albeit in the preseason – against the Phoenix Suns. Tuesday's performance made the moment official in the NBA record books.

Among the many famous faces who witnessed LeBron and Bronny write their own chapter in the NBA history books was a baseball king who understood the significance of the moment as well as any person alive.

Hall of Fame baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. and his father Ken Griffey Sr. became the first father and son to play in the same MLB game when they appeared together as members of the Seattle Mariners in 1990.

“It’s a big deal for my dad and I to be there,” Griffey Jr. said. The Road to Cooperstown Podcast. before the game on Tuesday.

“We made history, now we can see history. So that’s the cool thing about it.”

Before the game ended, the Jameses and Griffeys laughed as they stood on the field together and took a time capsule photo.

The Jameses had a lot of fun as they sat together during the pregame shootaround, smiling and chatting as they fired shots.

It must have been the same fun when father and son filmed a Nike commercial in which father introduced his son to a joking newcomer. LeBron posted the promotion on X just hours before the game began.

LeBron sent the home crowd into a frenzy when the soon-to-be 40-year-old recorded a huge block and later delivered a massive one-handed jam to give the Lakers an early 9-5 lead.

The only other multigenerational household to achieve this feat in major American sports is the legendary Howe hockey family. Patriarch Gordy Howe played in NHL games with his two sons Mark and Marty as members of the Hartford Whalers during the 1979-80 season.

This is a developing story and will be updated.