LeBron and Bronny James expected to play together for second time in Cleveland homecoming against Cavs

By TOM WITHERS

When Bronny James was little, he would run down the halls and ride the elevators to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse while his famous dad played games.

On October 30, he was expected to join him on the field.

Bronny James was expected to play in his second professional game alongside his father, LeBron James, when the Los Angeles Lakers visited the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“It’s going to be really special,” Bronny James said after the Lakers’ morning shootaround. “It feels good to be here with my dad – in our house.”

LeBron James spent 11 seasons in two stints with the Cavs, leading them to the 2016 title before leaving as a free agent two years later. Last week, the 39-year-old superstar and his 20-year-old son became the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game.

They checked together in the second quarter of a 110-103 win in the season opener against Minnesota. The long-awaited moment fulfilled a dream for both of them, and will now be followed by another meaningful dream.

“It will definitely be special to be back home and be able to run around the floor with my son, who spent a lot of time on that floor during my days when I played there for 11 years,” LeBron James said after speaking in October. 28 game in Phoenix.

LeBron James was not present at the pregame shootaround. The Lakers did not provide any update on his status and the four-time NBA MVP is not listed on the injury report.

Bronny James didn’t score in his debut last week, missing both shots and grabbing one rebound in three minutes on the floor. He hasn’t played since and the rookie guard is expected to join the club’s G-League team, the South Bay Lakers, after this five-game road trip ends Nov. 6 in Memphis.

BetMGM Sportsbook even has odds on whether Bronny James will score his first NBA points in Cleveland. If he scores more than 1.5 points, winning bettors will win €100 on a €150 bet. If it scores less than 1.5, successful gamblers win $110 on a $100 bet.

Although he’s back in his home state on business this time, the younger James said it’s always a treat to return to his roots.

“It feels good to be here,” he said. “It’s nice, slow living here in Ohio – very different from LA.”

Bronny James said that when Cavs games were on, he would often go to the arena practice room to shoot alone or play pick-up games against other players’ children.

LeBron James was in his second season with the Cavs when he and his wife, Savannah, welcomed the first of their three children. Bronny James will make his first appearance in Cleveland one day after the 21st anniversary of his father’s professional debut.

On October 29, 2002, LeBron James scored 25 points with nine assists and six rebounds against Sacramento.

Lakers center Anthony Davis said he was looking forward to seeing the James family back on their “home court.”

“I’m pretty sure it will be phenomenal,” Davis said. “Source, two stints here. Bronny grew up playing the game primarily here, in this arena. You see photos and videos of him shooting on his field. I’m pretty sure it would be a special moment, similar to the one they shared in the first game against Minnesota.”