LeBron and Brony James returned home, both taking the court at a Lakers game in Cleveland
LeBron James and Bronny James have already made NBA history as father-son teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers. But the two had another special moment Wednesday night in an away game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom LeBron spent 11 seasons and won one championship.
The Cavaliers beat the Lakers 134-110 on Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, keeping the Cavaliers undefeated. Broney entered the game in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach for the Lakers, though Cleveland fans made it clear they wanted him checked out early.
He took the court with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter and did so loudly. It marked his second appearance in an NBA game in his career.
LeBron was out of the game at that time. He finished the night with 26 points and six rebounds after shooting 9 of 13 from the field. Broney scored his first career point when he hit a stepback jumper from the short corner just minutes after entering the game.
He finished with two points, two assists and a steal in his five minutes on the court. Broney shot 1-of-2 from the field, missing a 3-point attempt down the stretch.
Although the two weren't on the floor at the same time, the Cavaliers found a way to honor both James before the game.
Broney is set to begin play with the G League after a five-game road trip with the Lakers, which ends next week. But he and LeBron had to do something first: come home.
Cleveland has always been home for the James family, with LeBron starting his career there after growing up in nearby Akron. Bronnie, the eldest of LeBron and wife Savannah's three children, was born in Akron in 2004 before LeBron's second year with the Cavaliers.
LeBron spent 11 years in two stints in Cleveland, earning awards and accolades during both stretches. During his first tenure, LeBron took home the NBA Rookie of the Year and two NBA MVP awards; When he returned to Northern Ohio in 2014, he led the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Championship.
After Broney was selected by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick in the NBA draft in June, the two became the first father-son duo in NBA history to play together in the Lakers' season opener last week. LeBron and Brony shared the court for a total of three minutes in the second quarter of a 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Jameses are the fourth father-son duo to play together in American pro sports; One of those pairs, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., attended the first Los Angeles game to make history.
The Cavaliers were ahead almost the entire way Wednesday night, and outscored the Lakers by 19 points in the first quarter to build their lead. Evan Mobley led the way with 25 points and Donovan Mitchell finished with 24 points and seven assists. Jarrett Allen added 20 points and 17 rebounds. Cleveland is 5-0 to start the season for the first time since 2016.
Anthony Davis added 22 points and 13 rebounds in the loss for the Lakers, who moved to 3-2. Rookie Dalton Netchett finished with 18 points off the bench. The Lakers have three games left on the road trip, starting with a matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.