Bronny James steps onto the NBA preseason stage for the first time, as LeBron observes from the sidelines.
The 19-year-old, nicknamed Bronny, played for 16 minutes during the Lakers' 124-107 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, displaying hints of his abilities, finishing with a meager two points.
He entered the field in the second quarter and played for half of it, further featuring prominently in the fourth.
After missing his first five attempts, the young man eventually converted a layup with barely a minute remaining in the game, eliciting thunderous applause from the crowd at the Acrisure Arena.
Although his shooting skills left room for improvement, the 6-foot-2 guard managed to block three shots, securing one rebound and one assist.
Following his performance, Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked to reporters, "He exhibits some special defensive abilities at his size, which could translate into becoming a formidable defensive player."
"Offensively, he's still discovering his identity. That's largely our role to nurture him and develop his talent," Redick added.
"To be honest, he's an absolute joy to coach. He's got an excellent spirit and a fantastic energy that I find infectious. I genuinely appreciate his company and wholeheartedly support his journey. I believe he has a lot of potential and makes a significant contribution to our team."
Redick opted to sit out LeBron for this matchup, but the veteran player might return to face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday – coincidentally, Bronny's 20th birthday.
Bronny, whose jersey bears "James Jr." on the back, was selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA draft by the Lakers in June, teaming up with his father at the franchise.
The duo is anticipated to become the inaugural father-son tandem in NBA history.
During a recent Lakers media event, LeBron shared his thoughts, saying, "I'm almost speechless in terms of my feelings towards him (Bronny). I'm simply thrilled and incredibly proud of him to have made it this far."
"He's grown into a man and is more than ready to step up to the plate," LeBron stated as his son sat beside him. "The joy I feel when I see him progress and know about his hardships is indescribable. His determination has served as my daily motivation to keep pushing forward and ultimately achieve his goals."
Despite his young age, Bronny continued to show interest in various sports, often practicing basketball and football in his spare time.
During the post-game press conference, when asked about Bronny's potential in the sports world, Redick enthusiastically replied, "His athleticism and dedication are truly remarkable. I have no doubt that he'll excel in whatever sport he chooses to focus on."
