LeBron James, who often speaks of cherishing moments with his children, lived out a family dream Sunday night by playing alongside his son, Bronny James, for the first time in an NBA game. The historic moment took place during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, marking the first time a father and son have played together in the league.

LeBron, the NBA’s all-time top scorer, played just over four minutes with Bronny during the second quarter. The occasion coincidentally fell on Bronny’s 20th birthday, making it even more memorable for the James family.

“It’s pretty cool for the both of us, and especially for our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget.”

LeBron, now 39, had long dreamed of sharing the court with his son, a dream he first voiced when Bronny was still in high school. Though this was their first time playing together, LeBron expects many more moments in the coming season, even describing the experience as “not real.”

“For a father, it means everything,” LeBron shared. “To be able to have moments with your son — and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.”

Bronny, who entered the game as a substitute early in the second quarter, remained composed despite the milestone moment. Although LeBron has playfully told his son not to call him “Dad” on the court, Bronny admitted it’s still a challenge to separate their family relationship from their on-court roles.

“I’m always thinking about, ‘That’s my dad!’ because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “But when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all.”

While their first stint together wasn’t flawless, with a few turnovers and missed shots, it still left both the team and their family excited for the future. Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the significance of the moment, noting, “They’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.”

LeBron finished the first half with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Bronny showed flashes of his potential during his time on the court. Though the Lakers fell short against Phoenix, the James family’s milestone was the true highlight of the night.