NBA Opening Night Shocker: Can Anyone Match the Jameses?

Set aside the game itself.

This was about a defining moment.

During the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a remarkable event unfolded. With the clock ticking down to four minutes before halftime and the Lakers leading by 14, an electrifying buzz filled the Crypto.com Arena, packed with 18,997 spectators. LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, stepped onto the court together, marking the first instance in the NBA’s 78-year history where a father and son played together in an official game.

“The energy was palpable,” Bronny remarked.

LeBron added, “That moment, both of us approaching the scorer’s table to check in together, is unforgettable. No matter how much time passes, this memory will always stay with me.”

Even the most skeptical observers found this moment impressive. Shortly before entering the game, LeBron was heard on TNT microphones encouraging his son, “You see the intensity, right? Just play freely. Don’t worry about mistakes. Just play hard.”

And Bronny did exactly that. He was vigorous in his offensive plays and resilient in defense against Joe Ingles. In an early sequence, an attempt to connect father and son was intercepted by Ingles, but LeBron later set up Bronny for an open three-pointer, which he missed. After 2½ minutes, Bronny was rotated out.

“I felt quite good,” Bronny stated. “There was some initial anxiety—it being the first game and all. But once I got into the flow, the nervousness dissipated.”

Certainly, there was a sense of orchestration to this event. Bronny, at 20 years old and a late second-round draft pick, had not had a strong preseason. He hadn’t secured a solid place in the rotation or the league itself. But with national television cameras rolling and the Griffeys, the last father-son duo to share a major league playing field, in attendance, the stage was set for this momentous occasion. It was better to seize the moment now rather than wait for a less prominent game later in the season.

There were reasons to just get it done. Bronny is still developing as a player. The Lakers are aware of this, and so is he. At 6′ 1″, he is considered small for today’s NBA standards and has limited college basketball experience. Ideally, he should be playing in the G League to gain more experience, not sitting on the bench in L.A.

While some may argue that Bronny did not merit this chance, his determination cannot be questioned. Despite a severe cardiac incident in the summer of 2023, he has worked tirelessly to carve a niche for himself in the NBA. His size and skills might be up for debate, but not his commitment.

This is a trait he shares with his father. In his 22 seasons, LeBron has achieved much—four championships, four MVP awards, and countless All-Star appearances. Just last year, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Yet, this shared moment with his son held a different significance.

“I’ve spoken about it for years, and for it to finally happen is incredible,” James reflected. “It might take some time for us to truly absorb how surreal this was. But at that moment, our focus was still on the game. We were not there to create a spectacle but to contribute to our team and keep playing hard.”

Oh, the game itself. The Lakers triumphed with a score of 110–103. Anthony Davis was phenomenal, scoring 36 points with 16 rebounds, while Rui Hachimura was notably effective, leading the team with a plus-19 rating. In his first game as head coach, JJ Redick proved capable. There’s still room for improvement in three-point shooting, as L.A. only made 5 out of 30 attempts, and the bench could contribute more, but defeating a conference finalist on the opening night is commendable.

“All our guys competed,” Redick observed, “and that’s really all we ask for.”

Certainly, we can analyze the Lakers’ performance another time. This night was dedicated to the James family. The entire clan was present, along with friends and distant acquaintances, creating a full-circle moment. After the game, LeBron reflected on the time he’s missed with his family due to his career and how playing with Bronny allowed him to reclaim some of that lost time.

“I’ve definitely noticed it,” Bronny said. “We’ve missed out on a lot of time together, but it’s all part of our passion for the game. It feels great to be united in what we love doing.”