CNN
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On Friday night, LeBron James will play his first game of the season without his son by his side.
The Los Angeles Lakers named Bronny James to the G League South Bay Lakers team on Thursday.
The move was widely expected and came after the rookie guard played in just three of the Lakers’ first eight games of the season. Although his role in the team was limited, Bronny scored four goals in a total of 13 minutes of playing time.
The 20-year-old made history in October when he and LeBron became the first father-son duo to appear in an NBA game together during the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Bronny, who was selected in the second round of June’s NBA Draft, should get more playing time in the G League, where many later draft picks have the opportunity to continue honing their skill sets.
James’ reassignment doesn’t necessarily mean NBA fans have seen the last of the rookie playing alongside his father in the NBA this season.
Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters in October that the team always intended for the rookie to split time between the NBA and the G League throughout the season.
“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and the South Bay was always the plan from day one,” Reddick said, according to the Associated Press. “(Lakers general manager) Rob (Pelinka) and I talked about it. LeBron talked about it.”
Playing alongside his famous father, James’ path to NBA history wasn’t always a smooth one. James, a freshman with the USC Trojans, suffered a cardiac arrest during a team practice in July 2023.
Following a health scare, James underwent surgery to treat a congenital heart defect and was sidelined for several months before being cleared to return to court.
As a result, James’ only season at the collegiate level was cut short. He started just six games for the Trojans, with most of his minutes coming off the bench.
James could make his debut with the South Bay Lakers on Saturday against the Salt Lake City Stars in El Segundo, California. Meanwhile, LeBron’s Lakers will continue their season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
