Left: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, 23, handles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Right: Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James, 9, handles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles.
13:59 JST, October 23, 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father and son to play together in the NBA on Tuesday night during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 39-year-old superstar and his 20-year-old son played together for nearly 2 1/2 minutes late in the first half of Bronny’s NBA debut. They are also the first father and son to play in the NBA at the same time, let alone on the same team.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles.
LeBron scored 16 points, while Anthony Davis had 36 points and 16 rebounds in a dominant performance for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura added 18 points.
JJ Redick won his head coaching debut for the Lakers, who hired the 15-year NBA veteran for his first coaching job at any level.
Anthony Edwards scored 27 points for the Timberwolves, who are having their best season in two decades.
Julius Randle had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Donte DiVincenzo had 10 points in their Timberwolves debut after the trade sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York three weeks ago.
Dalton Knecht scored five points in the Lakers’ first-round debut.
Takeaways
Timberwolves: There will be growing pains in the post-Towns era. Davis raged against Randle and Rudy Gobert, and no one attempted to score besides Edwards.
Lakers: Their largely unchanged roster showed the benefits of continuity, playing disciplined ball on both ends and getting an organized defense led by Davis.
Key moment
Davis was phenomenal down the stretch, scoring or assisting on 13 of Los Angeles’ next 15 points after returning to the game with 7:09 left. LeBron’s three-pointer put it away.
Key stat
LeBron officially joined Vince Carter as the only players in NBA history to play in 22 seasons. James ranks sixth in career games with 1,493, not including his NBA-record 287 playoff games.
