CLEVELAND — In a nostalgic turn of events, Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is set to play in his second professional game on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This encounter holds a special significance as it takes place in the very arena where a young Bronny once watched his father compete throughout his childhood.
LeBron James, who dedicated a total of 11 seasons to the Cavaliers during two separate tenures, led the team to its first and only championship in 2016 before departing as a free agent two years later. The recent matchup marks a milestone as it will be the second time that the father-son duo steps onto the court together. They made history last week, becoming the first father-son pair to participate in an NBA game when they took to the floor together during the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 110-103. This moment fulfilled a long-held dream for both LeBron and Bronny.
“It’s definitely going to be very special to be back home and be able to run the floor with my son who spent a lot of time on that floor throughout my days when I played there for 11 years,” said LeBron James after a game in Phoenix on Monday. The upcoming game represents not only a professional milestone for Bronny but also a personal one for LeBron as he returns to his basketball roots.
In his debut, Bronny did not manage to score, missing both of his attempts and securing one rebound in just three minutes of play. Following the completion of this five-game road stretch, he is anticipated to join the South Bay Lakers, the G-League affiliate of the Lakers, on November 6 in Memphis. Interestingly, his first game in the city where his father once made a name for himself coincides almost precisely with the anniversary of LeBron’s first NBA game, which took place on October 29, 2002. During that debut, LeBron scored 25 points, provided nine assists, and gathered six rebounds against the Sacramento Kings.
As the basketball world watches, the father-son duo prepares for another emotional and historic moment in the sport.