LeBron James attended the Los Angeles Lakers NBA Summer League game in Las Vegas on Saturday evening to support his son, Bronnie James, who was playing against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Thomas & Mack Center. LeBron was joined by his wife Savannah and their 10-year-old daughter Zhuri during the event.
The Lakers are looking to recover after a tough start, having lost 87-85 to the Dallas Mavericks and rookie standout Cooper Flag, the anticipated first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This game attracted a peak viewership of 1.12 million, making it the fourth most-watched summer league match ever, according to ESPN.
Bronny James averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists over 27 games (with one start) in the 2024-25 NBA season, shooting 31.3% overall, including 28.1% from three-point range and 78.6% on free throws, with an average of 6.7 minutes per game. On the other hand, LeBron had an average of 24.4 points—the lowest since his rookie year in 2003-04—along with 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games during his 22nd NBA season, shooting 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc, and 78.2% on free throws, while playing an average of 34.9 minutes a game.
The Lakers finished the previous season with a 50-32 record, topping their division before being swept 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota, marking their second consecutive early playoff exit. Notably, LeBron and Bronnie James made history as the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA. Bronnie, a four-star recruit, played one college season at USC before being picked 55th overall by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, while LeBron was the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
The NBA Summer League started in Salt Lake City and San Francisco and moved to Las Vegas on July 10th. After two weeks of games, the championship game is set for Sunday, July 20th.
Fan Take: This moment of LeBron watching his son play symbolizes a passing of the torch and a unique chapter in NBA history, capturing the hearts of basketball fans everywhere. It highlights how family legacies can impact the game and adds a personal, inspiring dimension to the sport’s future.
