Bronny and LeBron James Backed to Create History on NBA Opening Night by Insider

During his illustrious career, LeBron James has toppled several records and achieved countless milestones. But when the 2024/25 NBA season tips off, "King James" will have the chance to enter truly uncharted territory.

Never before in NBA history has a father-son duo played together in a game—but that could all change soon. In a potential first for the league, LeBron could make history by sharing the court with his eldest son, Bronny, when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on opening night. It would truly be one of the most remarkable moments the sport has ever seen. However, Bronny James’ journey to the NBA has raised many eyebrows. Bronny endured a dismal freshman season with the USC Trojans, averaging just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Despite this, he was selected by the Lakers in the second-round of the 2024 NBA Draft. 

There is no doubt that Bronny’s association with LeBron James played a huge role in his selection. However, the 19-year-old has shown glimpses of his NBA potential during the NBA 2K25 Summer League at UNLV. In four games, Bronny averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1 assist. While there’s a lot of room for improvement on the offensive end, Bronny’s defense and hustle impressed several fans. This has led to murmurs that the new Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick might hand Bronny his debut on the opening night.  

NBA insider Zach Lowe also confirmed on the Bill Simmons Podcast that he expects Bronny to make his debut versus the Timberwolves on opening night. He said, “He’s 100% playing in the opening game so they can have a moment together. That’s going to happen, so they pass to each other or whatever it ends up being.” This development has left fans divided. Some see it as blatant nepotism, while others view it as a momentous occasion in basketball history. I'll leave it up to you to form your own opinion, but for me, this is a moment destined for the history books. Sure, Bronny might not be fully NBA-ready yet. But at just 19, there's plenty of room for growth and development. Plus, the Lakers used a second-round pick to draft him—making it a low-risk investment. And if it helps keep LeBron in LA, who can really blame the Lakers’ management? 

Regardless of where you stand on the debate, one thing is certain: Lakers’ opening night game against the Timberwolves will be a historic event, with LeBron and Bronny James being the main protagonists. 

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