Bronny James feels the Cleveland love as he scores his first NBA points in an arena where he grew up

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James let his son, Bronny, have the stage to himself in Cleveland.

As the Los Angeles Lakers superstar watched from the bench, Bronny James scored his first points in an NBA game on Wednesday night – with a shot that looked just like his old man – in a 134-110 loss to the Cavaliers.

In the second game with a father-son duo, LeBron checked out in the fourth quarter and sat back and enjoyed watching his son immersed in the love of a Cleveland crowd that had cheered his every move for 11 seasons.

As the Cavs cruised to the big win, Cleveland’s fans started chanting “We want Bronny!” hoping for the rookie they saw grow up. The younger James checked in with 5:16 left and was cheered every time he touched the ball.

He picked up two assists and then made his first basket as a pro on a 13-foot shot from the left corner with 2:03 left, drawing a huge ovation.

“It was crazy,” Bronny said. ‘Much more than I expected. The chants really touched me. My face was honest, but I felt it and it felt pretty good.

LeBron said it was overwhelming to see his son score.

“To see him get his first NBA basketball in this arena, where he grew up not far from here, is an incredible moment,” LeBron said. “Incredible moment for him, and for our family it’s just pretty cool to be a part of it.”

When Bronny was little, he would run down the halls, ride the elevators and take pictures or play pickup on the practice field at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse while his famous father played games for the Cavs.

Earlier in the day, Bronny reflected on his return home to Ohio.

“It will be very special,” he said after the morning shoot. “It feels good to be here with my dad – in our house.”

LeBron 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 got together became the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game.

There has been some criticism of the Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny, who was taken in the second round after playing one year at USC. While some of the reasoning may have kept LeBron happy or engaged, Cavs first-year coach Kenny Atkinson said he saw the James on the floor while teammates were moving.

“It’s a beautiful story,” Atkinson said. “Having two children of my own, I can’t even imagine that. I like to play with my son in the backyard. To do it on an NBA court? Nice story. I love it. I think we should celebrate that.”

Bronny 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 had pregame odds on whether Bronny would score his first NBA points in Cleveland. If he scored more than 1.5 points, winning bettors would win $100 on a $150 bet.

Although he was 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 said that when Cavs games were going on, he would often go to the practice room in the arena to shoot solo or play pick-up games against other players’ children.

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

On October 29, 2002, LeBron 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.”

___

APNBA: