LeBron, Bronny share the court as Lakers open season with a win and good vibes

It was a picture-perfect moment for the Lakers in their season opener as they earned the win while also having LeBron James and Bronny sharing the floor to make history.

LOS ANGELES - After a string of seasons of regular season mediocrity and going on their third head coach in the last four years, it’s understandable that there was skepticism that the 2024-25 Lakers would be any different from recent versions of this team.

However, as the saying goes, winning solves everything.

Kicking off the season at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, few had the Lakers as favorites with Minnesota coming off a 56-win season. However, the Lakers were the ones who looked sharper on Tuesday. A second-quarter outburst proved to be the tipping point as Los Angeles cruised to a 110-103 victory.

Los Angeles had a dominant Anthony Davis performance, scoring 35 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and rejecting any Timberwolves player who dared to challenge him, including Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. AD was so fired up on that rejection that he flexed toward the crowd and screamed until the crowd matched his energy.

“AD was phenomenal tonight,” Redick said. “It felt like he attacked the game the right way. He was patient. There were times, and I’ve said this, like we’re trying to look for throw-aheads after misses and makes and there’s times he’s just going to be trailing the play and we’re attacking early and he may go three or four possessions without getting it.

“That doesn’t mean we call a play for him and he forces the shot. He just plays the game the right way.”

Anthony Davis was the offensive hub Redick had envisioned when he took over the job. But while his play was the loudest, it was LeBron James and Bronny’s moment that everyone anticipated most.

With four minutes left in the second quarter, Lakers fans witnessed history when they officially became the first-ever father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game.

“We felt like, in terms of the feel of the game,” Redick said. “being able to play those last few minutes with those two guys together, [Austin Reaves] was on the floor, AD was on the floor, obviously, LeBron was on the floor, it presented an opportunity for Bronny – he’s played well, he’s competed throughout preseason – just to give him a chance to get a go in a regular season game.”

The crowd was never more rambunctious than when Bronny stepped on the court with his father. They oohed and awed at every pass aimed in Bronny’s direction. When he took a 3-pointer from the wing, the entire stadium groaned when he missed. They wanted success in these minutes for Bronny just as much as he did.

That shift during the closing minutes of the second was all the action Bronny saw, but the good times kept rolling in the second half.

The third quarter was a bit of a slog, but the Lakers never wavered. Redick called timeouts whenever Minnesota went on runs, Austin Reaves crashed the boards and Rui Hachimura played with a level of energy and bounce that fans should be excited about.

When the clock struck zero on the new scoreboard, the streamers came down and the building erupted. In the postgame press conference, JJ Redick’s normally perfect hair was visibly damp due to a first-win shower his players gave him in the locker room

How do you know when you are having a good time? Like falling asleep, it feels like it just happens. One minute, you are in a grind and suddenly, you look up and the vibe has changed just enough for your perspective to adjust.

Sure, this is just one game. But you factor in a new coach, buy-in from players since the start of training camp, and a version of LeBron inspired by his son joining him on the team and, suddenly, the Lakers are an exciting curiosity.

On Tuesday night, the moment clearly gave LeBron a memory he will cherish for the rest of his life.

“Obviously, that moment of being at the scorer’s table together and checking in together,” LeBron said, “something I will never forget no matter how old I get, no matter how my memory may fade as I get older or whatever. I will never forget that moment. My daughter, her turning 10 [today], it’s like everything was just great today. Everything was great.”

It wasn’t a flawless victory, but given that L.A. hasn’t won a season opener during LeBron’s tenure, this is as good a start as one could ask. Now, we are officially underway with the 82-game marathon that is the NBA season and the next challenge will be against Kevin Durant and the Phoneix Suns on Friday.

If Tuesday was any indicator, it’s not the Lakers who are in for a tough start to the NBA season, but their opponents who must prepare for a focused, organized and energetic Lakers team.

Consider this a warning.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.