Lakers' James duo close on father-son court debut

Bronny James could celebrate his 20th birthday by playing alongside his famous father for the first time when their Los Angeles Lakers host the Phoenix Suns in an NBA preseason match on Sunday.

Rookie Bronny scored two points and blocked three shots during the Lakers' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night as dad LeBron James watched from the bench.

After Saturday's practice, LeBron acknowledged satisfaction in seeing Bronny's next basketball step in a tumultuous year-plus for his oldest son, who was in high school only 16 months ago.

"It was great to see Bronny out there," LeBron said.

Bronny recovered from a frightening cardiac arrest in July 2023 and played part of one season at Southern California before entering the draft and being picked by the Lakers in the second round.

"Every rank that you climb is always an adjustment to get used to it," LeBron said. "So when he went to middle school to high school to USC and now to the pros, it's always an adjustment he makes.

"So with more and more time he's on the floor with pros, the speed, the cadence and all those things, you get better and better.

"And you've got to (remember) that he lost pretty much almost a third of a season last year because of the condition, but he's got better and better every day. He's continued to put the work in."

LeBron and Anthony Davis will both play against the Suns on Sunday in their second game in the Coachella Valley, new Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed.

Both superstars sat out of Friday's loss to rest after a week of training camp following a long summer that included gold medals at the Paris Olympics.

"I think we want to carry over with what we did today at practice," LeBron said. "I think we were very intent on what we want to accomplish going forward.

"I think (Friday) was one of those first games. It's been a while since a lot of guys have played in a game setting, and it looked that way."

Bronny played 16 minutes and went one for six from the field on Friday, but he showed off defensive abilities in a series of plays that prompted Redick to describe him as "disruptive" to opponents.

Bronny saw the entire experience as an important milestone in his journey, but just another step.

"I'd say it's a game for new beginnings, me just trying to go out there and get a feel for the game, get comfortable, like how I did in summer league," Bronny said. "I feel like it's the same thing, basically. Just go out there and feel things out."