Bronny James‘ strongest memory of his father is tied to a groundbreaking NBA moment, when the two shared the court as teammates.
Nearly a year later, he reflects on the experience as the defining highlight of his early career.
On October 22, 2024, history was made when Bronny and LeBron James entered the Los Angeles Lakers‘ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves together and wrote their names in the record books forever.
Their joint appearance marked the first time in league history that a father and son played in the same NBA game, and the arena erupted in applause from more than 19,000 spectators as the family celebrated a once-unthinkable milestone.
“It was nuts,” Bronny recalled in a recent conversation with golfer Grant Horvat. “It was a crazy experience to be a part of. I wasn’t shaking, I mean I was ready to go to play.
“But it’s different when your dad’s on the team and you got expectations from the Lakers. I’m a basketball head, so it was fun to just be out there and step on an NBA court.”
Although Bronny did not record a point or an assist, LeBron contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists to secure a 110-103 Lakers victory, but for the younger James, the box score mattered less than the symbolism.
Bronny feeling confident for new NBA season
The past year has been pivotal for Bronny and his professional development after splitting time between the NBA and the G League, as he entered the 2025 Summer League with higher expectations.
And according to the Orange County Register, the 20-year-old appeared “more confident and assured” compared with his first professional outings in 2024 as he averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and a steal across six games, including two in the California Classic and four in Las Vegas.
His efficiency rose in Las Vegas, where he put up 14.2 points on 47.6% shooting, while also adding nearly four assists per game.
Coaches also highlighted his improved conditioning and willingness to embrace physicality, two priorities in his offseason training.
Still, shooting from long range remains the swing factor in his development as Bronny made only 29.6% of his three-point attempts during the summer.
Analysts suggest that if he fails to improve from deep, his ceiling could be that of an energetic role player capable of creating opportunities in spurts.
However, significant progress in outside shooting could eventually push him into consideration as a starter. Could both the James players bring a championship back to the Crypto.com Arena?
With training camp approaching for the 2025-26 NBA season, both father and son will turn their attention to basketball, but for Bronny, the memory of stepping onto the court beside LeBron remains unmatched.
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