LeBron James opened a new page in basketball history as together with son Bronny, who was selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 Draft, they became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game on Tuesday night.
The Lakers, now led by JJ Reddick, defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103 at the Crypto.com Arena on the 2024-25 NBA season opening night.
Game won. pic.twitter.com/INzsuS6ZYL
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 23, 2024
LeBron and Bronny’s historic moment came in the second quarter as they both came off the bench with 4:00 remaining on the clock to a roaring crowd, which had Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr, who made baseball history playing for the Seattle Mariners as father and son in 1990-1991.
LeBron James.
Bronny James.The first father-son duo to play together in the NBA! pic.twitter.com/naadFLoPmh
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2024
Bronny’s debut was not bad at all as the 20-year-old rookie guard finished with one rebound in almost three minutes on the court. LeBron, on the other hand, who tied Vince Carter’s record for most seasons played in the NBA, finished with 16 points and five rebounds in about 35 minutes
“Just going up to the scorer’s table with my dad, checking in with my dad, that’s a crazy moment I’ll never forget,” Bronny told TNT after the game about his historic debut.
The Lakers, however, were largely propelled by a monster-like performance from Anthony Davis, who finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks, to register his 100th career game with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds.
AD’s 36 points are the most by a Laker in the season opener since Kobe Bryant in 2007 pic.twitter.com/6yqHTNCLQM
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 23, 2024
Rui Hachimura poured in 18 points, Austin Reaves settled for 12 points and nine rebounds, and Jaxson Hayes finished with 10 points in about 16 minutes off the bench, while D’Angelo Russell was the only Lakers starter not in double figures as he only managed nine points.
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards picked up where he left off last season, with 27 points and six rebounds, while shooting five 3s.
Rudy Gobert tallied 13 points and 14 rebounds; new addition Julius Randle poured in 16 points and nine rebounds in his NBA debut for Minnesota, who got 36 points off the bench from Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Lakers are at home to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, while the Timberwolves will remain in California, where they will take on the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center.
