Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James highlighted the progress of his son, guard Bronny James, after the pair combined for a decisive run in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs’ first round on April 24 at Toyota Center in Houston.
Injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves late in the regular season forced head coach Darwin Ham to move Bronny into the postseason rotation. The second-year guard responded with a corner three-pointer and a lob dunk from his father during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets. The sequence accounted for part of a 10-0 spurt produced exclusively by the James duo.
Speaking on his “Mind the Game” podcast, the 41-year-old LeBron said Bronny’s sophomore campaign marked a significant leap after what he called “a challenging” rookie year. “He’s made so many strides in his second year, and it resulted in him taking the moment,” LeBron noted. “Without AR, without Luka, he was next man up.”
James added that sharing the court—and the spotlight—with his son created an unforgettable family milestone. His mother Gloria, wife Savannah, daughter Zhuri, and son Bryce were in attendance. “You can’t even write that script in Hollywood better than what’s going on,” he said.
Redick Criticizes Officiating
The Lakers’ second-round series opened with controversy over officiating. After LeBron publicly questioned several non-calls in Game 2, ESPN analyst JJ Redick defended the four-time MVP, declaring that James receives “the worst whistle” of any superstar he has observed.
Source: Lakers Nation
