LeBron and Bronny James Ready for Lakers Playoff Run

LeBron James and his son Bronny James are preparing to make NBA playoff history together as the Los Angeles Lakers gear up to face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 postseason. After a season marked by injuries to key starters Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Bronny has earned increased playing time and the trust of the Lakers’ coaching staff, positioning him for meaningful postseason minutes alongside his father.

The opportunity for LeBron and Bronny to share the court in playoff games represents a continuation of their historic father-son dynamic that began last season when they became the first father and son to play together in NBA history. This year, they have taken that milestone further by playing meaningful minutes together during the regular season and recording the first father-to-son assist in league history.

Bronny’s development has been particularly notable over the last month, coinciding with the absences of Doncic and Reaves due to injury. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has signaled that Bronny will be part of the team’s “all hands on deck” approach for the playoff series, citing his improved shooting, defensive growth and increased reliability in recent games.

In the Lakers’ five games since Doncic and Reaves were sidelined, Bronny has averaged 6.6 points and 2.0 assists in 17 minutes per game. Over his last six games he has averaged 7.2 points on 47.2% shooting (42.9% from three-point range), with 1.8 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per night. His shooting percentages represent a significant improvement from his rookie season, when he shot 31.3% overall and 28.1% from three.

Bronny, a second-year guard selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, has appeared in 42 games (one start) for Los Angeles this season. His growth has extended beyond scoring, with noticeable strides in defensive positioning and discipline both on and off the ball — qualities the coaching staff wants him to continue developing as a disruptive defender.

In the G League, Bronny has maintained strong production, averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds over 14 games this season, further validating his readiness for increased NBA responsibility. His performance has given the Lakers confidence in his ability to contribute during high-leverage playoff moments.

For LeBron James, now 41 years old, the upcoming playoff series against the Rockets will mark his 19th postseason appearance, tying Karl Malone and John Stockton for the most in NBA history. Yet, despite his individual accolades and longevity, sharing the floor with his son in the playoffs stands out as a singularly meaningful experience.

As the Lakers prepare to open their first-round series against the Houston Rockets in Game 1 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, the father-son duo stands ready to add another chapter to their growing legacy — one built not just on talent and opportunity, but on perseverance, trust, and the quiet pride of seeing a dream realized together on basketball’s biggest stage.