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NBA: family affair as LeBron James, son Bronny play first Los Angeles Lakers game together

After much anticipation, the duo appeared together at the start of the second quarter in the franchise’s preseason game against Phoenix Suns

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (right) steps onto the court with Lakers forward LeBron James during the preseason NBA game against the Phoenix Suns. Photo: AP

LeBron James and eldest son Bronny James claimed a piece of NBA history on Sunday after making their long-awaited first appearance alongside each other for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The duo appeared together at the start of the second quarter in the Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, east of Los Angeles.

Anticipation about when the James duo would make their first appearance together has been building since the Lakers picked Bronny with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft in June.

New Lakers coach J.J. Redick, who said last month that the two would play together “sooner rather than later”, said in pregame remarks on Sunday that the prospect of the Jameses lining up alongside each other was “surreal”.

“I’m excited about it,” Redick said. “I am very honoured that I get to be a part of history. It’s going to happen in the flow of the game.”

The Lakers’ Bronny James (left) and LeBron James warming before the game against the Phoenix Suns. Photo: AFP
The Lakers’ Bronny James (left) and LeBron James warming before the game against the Phoenix Suns. Photo: AFP

Things weren’t immediately smooth for the James family: Bronny committed two turnovers and LeBron made another in their first two minutes together. Shortly after LeBron hit a three-pointer moments later, LeBron got the ball to Bronny and set a screen for his son’s three-point attempt, but Bronny missed.

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