LeBron James Admits Playing a Playoff Game With His Son Was Career’s Wildest Experience

LeBron James and Bronny James are the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA playoff game.

LeBron James Admits Playing a Playoff Game With His Son Was Career’s Wildest Experience

LeBron and Bronny James (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • LeBron James and his son Bronny made history as the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA playoff game.
  • LeBron recorded a double-double with 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds in the Lakers' 107-98 victory over the Rockets.
  • Bronny saw increased playing time due to injuries to key players, despite not registering any stats in his four minutes on the court.

LeBron James and Bronny James continue to make more history together. The two shared the court for a few minutes on Saturday night as the Los Angeles Lakers registered a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in game one at the Crypto.com Arena.

Following the win, LeBron spoke to the media about sharing the court with his son in a playoff game.

I was on the floor with my son in a playoff game. That’s probably the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me in my career. It was just so cool to be out there with him.

LeBron James in his post-match press conference

Bronny James was drafted by the Lakers in the 2025 NBA draft. The expectations were modest, but there were hopes that Bronny would develop his game in the G-League and as a role player for the Lakers with LeBron James by his side.

Currently in his second season in the NBA, Bronny has not played many minutes and has struggled to cement his place on the team. However, James Jr. could finally see light at the end of the tunnel after two key players were ruled out at the end of the regular season. Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury, while Austin Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.

With the two sidelined towards the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs, Bronny has seen more minutes on court than ever. A few weeks ago, LeBron and Bronny broke into the record books when they pulled the first father-son assist in NBA history.

On Saturday night, both players officially became the first father-son pairing to share a court in a playoff game. While Bronny spent just four minutes on court, the win gives him his first real taste of a postseason win.

LeBron James impresses in game one against the Houston Rockets

With Doncic and Reaves ruled out, it was all on LeBron James to carry and lead the team against the Rockets when the playoffs get underway. Many pundits and analysts dismissed any chances of the Lakers winning the series without their two primary scorers. They believed it was a lot to expect from a 41-year-old James.

But things have gotten off to the best of starts for the Lakers as James impressed in game one. While James may not be the player he once was, he has shown he can lead the team when it matters, as he showed towards the end of the regular season.

LeBron James could expect boos from Memphis residents the next time he faces them
LeBron James (Image via The Score/X)

James registered a double-double on Saturday. He recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and one block in an all-round display.

It was a much-needed win for the Lakers as they had to get the series underway with a win. They were given a significant boost when Kevin Durant was ruled out due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Bronny did not register any numbers in his four minutes of action.

All five Lakers starters recorded double-digit points

At this point in his career, it is unfair to expect maximum energy from LeBron James on both sides of the court. As he has shown throughout the 2025-26 campaign, he picks and chooses his moments.

This season, James has been more of a third option. However, he will be carrying a lot more of the scoring and ball-handling duties till Doncic returns. Hence, his teammates will need to chip in to lessen the burden on a man who is in his 23rd NBA season. To the Lakers’ credit, that is exactly what has happened.

All five of the Lakers’ starters scored double-digit points on Saturday night. Luke Kennard led the scorers with 27 points, Rui Hachimura scored 14, Marcus Smart had 15 points on the night, Deandre Ayton recorded 19 points and James had 19.

The Lakers were efficient against the Rockets as they shot at 60.6% from the field and made 10 out of their 19 three-point attempts. The signs have been positive for the Lakers, and they will be looking to use the momentum in game two on Tuesday.

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