Seven Memorable LeBron-Bronny Moments from the Lakers Preseason That Made NBA History



The 2023 preseason saw NBA fans witness something unprecedented: LeBron James playing alongside his son, Bronny James, in a Lakers jersey. This father-son duo created magic on the court, sparking excitement for what might become one of the most historic partnerships in NBA history. Here are seven standout moments from the preseason that showcased their special connection:

  1. The First Assist
    In a game against the Clippers, LeBron’s no-look pass to Bronny for a corner three felt like a dream come true for fans. This assist symbolized the beginning of an extraordinary on-court partnership, a moment filled with pride for the James family.

  2. Alley-Oop Connection
    A play that brought the crowd to its feet was a fast break where Bronny lobbed the ball high, and LeBron finished with a thunderous dunk. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, echoing shades of LeBron’s prime and Bronny’s rapidly rising talent.

  3. Father-Son Defense
    In a game against the Warriors, they combined for a brilliant defensive sequence. LeBron’s chase-down block followed by Bronny’s quick steal led to a fast-break layup. This father-son defensive play was a testament to their instincts and basketball IQ.

  4. Bronny’s Breakout Game
    Bronny had a breakout performance in a preseason win over the Suns, scoring 18 points with four three-pointers. His confidence grew game by game, and seeing LeBron cheering him on from the bench made the moment even more special.

  5. The Double Double
    Both LeBron and Bronny notched double-doubles in the same game against the Trail Blazers. LeBron finished with 22 points and 10 assists, while Bronny had 16 points and 11 rebounds. This statistical feat marked a historic night in the NBA, as no father-son duo had ever achieved this in the same game.

  6. LeBron’s Leadership
    Throughout the preseason, LeBron was seen mentoring Bronny during timeouts, offering guidance and encouragement. These behind-the-scenes moments of leadership highlighted the balance of their relationship—both as teammates and as family.

  7. The Closing Moment
    In the final preseason game, the Lakers were down by two with seconds left on the clock. LeBron passed the ball to Bronny, who sank a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. This clutch shot was a defining moment, symbolizing Bronny’s arrival and the passing of the torch from father to son.

As the NBA season approaches, these seven moments hint at a legacy in the making. The LeBron-Bronny connection is more than a story of two talented players—it’s about family, history, and a shared love for the game.


"We all want to win," Redick said during his pregame remarks. "I'd love to go 82-0." Redick mentioned he had multiple conversations with LeBron and Bronny in the lead-up to the Minnesota game, and together, they reached an agreement: "We want it to feel right, to happen naturally within the flow of the game."

Yet, the atmosphere was anything but typical. Sitting courtside were Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr., baseball's legendary father-son duo, there to witness the James family make their own history in basketball.

As much as the Griffeys’ presence hinted that this would be the night, the real clue came when LeBron subbed out with 7:34 left in the second quarter. He walked down the baseline to the Lakers' bench, where Bronny was sitting—right next to the seat typically reserved for LeBron.

Throughout the preseason, Bronny had usually been seated toward the middle of the bench, surrounded by other rookies and young players, within earshot of the coaching staff. But this time, his spot next to his father seemed to set the stage for something big. With exactly four minutes left in the second quarter—and after the Lakers had gone on a 29-12 run to secure a double-digit lead—Redick made the call.

LeBron and Bronny stood up together, moving toward the scorer’s table, with Bronny leading and his father following behind. As they approached, the realization spread through the crowd—history was about to be made. By the time they removed their warmups and prepared to step onto the court, the arena greeted the moment with a roaring ovation.

Their first steps on the court were more historic than their brief time together. In just over two minutes of play, the Lakers were outscored 7-2. Bronny missed a wide-open three-pointer from the wing off a pass from LeBron, a shot that would have ignited the crowd had it gone in. LeBron missed a shot off a Bronny pass, too. The chemistry, like Bronny’s young career, is still a work in progress.

That journey officially began three weeks earlier, when the then-19-year-old Bronny joined LeBron, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the Lakers at his first training camp. Since then, the anticipation for the father-son debut in the regular season had only grown, culminating in this moment on Tuesday night. Here are seven key moments from training camp through the preseason that paved the way for this historic night.