As the NBA season kicks off, all eyes will be on the Crypto.com Arena Tuesday night as LeBron James and his son, Bronny, aim to make history as the first father-son duo to play together in a regular-season NBA game.
Adding to this historic occasion, MLB legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. will be in attendance to support the James family.
Ken Griffey Jr. excited for the James’ history-making night
In an interview with SiriusXM, Ken Griffey Jr. expressed his excitement about witnessing this momentous event.
“I’m actually going to go to the game and I’m going to take my dad,” he said.
“First father and son to play baseball, now first father and son to play basketball, so it’s a big deal for my dad and I to be there. We made history, now we get to watch history. So that’s what’s going to be cool about it.”
The Griffey family knows a thing or two about breaking barriers.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. made history as the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball, sharing the field as teammates with the Seattle Mariners in the early 1990s.
Their notable moments included back-to-back home runs during a game against the Angels in 1990.
LeBron & Bronny will make history against Timberwolves
Meanwhile, the anticipation surrounding LeBron and Bronny’s potential on-court connection is palpable, even though they have only played together during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick noted that “nothing’s been finalized for anything yet,” keeping fans in suspense about how much playtime the duo will get in the opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Bronny James also shared his enthusiasm for the Griffeys’ attendance, calling it a “crazy experience.”
He added, “It’s going to be insane. Only two families to do it, so it’s going to be a crazy experience, especially with what they’ve done.”
Though Bronny’s journey has not been without challenges, including a cardiac arrest incident last July, he is eager to step onto the court with his father.
LeBron reflected on the unique opportunity to play alongside his son, saying, “For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids, then ultimately, to be able to work with your son, I think it’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for.”
Tip-off for tonight’s game between the Timberwolves and the Lakers is set for 10 p.m. ET.