PALM DESERT, Calif. — About 125 miles east of Los Angeles, in front of a crowd of 9,494 at Acrisure Arena, the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, a minor league hockey team, is where it happened.
LeBron James and his son Bronny took the court together Sunday night at the start of the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.
They became the first father and son in NBA history to play in the same game.
On Bronny’s 20th birthday, no less.
‘It’s definitely a moment that I’ll never forget,” LeBron said.
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But Bronny looked far more serious than celebratory after the game.
“It’s a lot of stuff going around, just trying to focus on what my job is and what I’m supposed to be doing,’’ Bronny said. “I feel like that’s the thing that keeps me grounded.’
Statistically, the four-minute stretch during which father and son shared the court was not how the script was supposed to go for Bronny. He had three turnovers and an offensive foul and missed his only shot – a 3-pointer after his father fed him a short pass.
LeBron fared better during that stretch, making a 3-pointer and a layup while getting fouled (yes, he converted the free throw) and grabbing two rebounds. And would have relished the assist if Bronny had made the 3-pointer.
“Only shot one shot, so there’s not much to say about that,’’ Bronny said of his 25-footer that clanked off the back of the rim when asked about his shooting ability. “But yeah, just again, just trying to find my role and play as hard as I can.’’
Bronny finished the night scoreless, attempting only the one shot, with two rebounds and four turnovers in 13 minutes. In the preseason opener, Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he had two points on 1-for-6 shooting and had a game-high three blocks along with a rebound, an assist and a turnover.
After the Lakers fell to the Suns, 118-114, those statistics seemed like an afterthought when LeBron addressed the significance of the night.
Less than 15 months ago, after all Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest.
“Even with the situation last year, he came out of that and continue to work, continue to put himself in a position where he can even be drafted and it’s just work in progress,’’ LeBron said. “Wants to continue to get, continue to learn and he’s doing it every single day. So it was great to see.’’
LeBron, who will be 40 in December, looked about a decade younger. Held out of the Lakers first preseason game, he had 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, five rebounds and four assists in only 16 minutes.
But ultimately, the numbers were an afterthought after the game when he was asked about being on the court with his oldest son.
“It’s pretty cool for both of us and especially for our family,’’ LeBron said. “It’s cool. You just think of (LeBron’s wife) Savannah watching home, the thoughts of your entire extended family.’’
When asked what it meant to him as a father, LeBron made reference to his having grown up fatherless in Akron, Ohio.
“I mean, for a father…it means everything,’’ he said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence from your son to be able to have moments with your son. And then ultimately, to be able to work with your son, I think that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.’’
Yet Bronny seemed far more focused on basketball than on history. As he’s attempting to carve out a role on the team under the watch for first-year Lakers coach J.J. Redick.
“J.J. has really emphasized that defensive end and being a pest on defense, so that’s just what I’ve been trying to focus on when I’m stepping on the floor,’’ he said.
He heard something else from Redick before the game. Tonight would be the night for father and son to share the court together.
“I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this,’’ Redick said. “I really am. …I think it speaks to LeBron’s, certainly longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in year 22 (in the NBA).
“It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point, and really just the fatherly care and love and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well. Bronny, he’s such a great kid and he’s a pleasure to be around.’’
Oh, and that shot Bronny took.
“I was really hoping that wing three on the little side… had gone in,’’ Redick said. “That would’ve been a cool moment. But they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.’’
(This story was updated to add new information.)