LeBron & Bronny: Father-Son Playoff Run Begins Saturday

In NBA history, there have been legendary father-son dynasties — but nothing like this. LeBron James is about to play in his 19th playoff appearance, tying Karl Malone and John Stockton for the most all-time, and for the first time he'll potentially share that postseason stage with his son Bronny.

It almost didn't happen. Bronny was purely in mop-up duty for most of the season. But injuries to Doncic and Austin Reaves forced the Lakers' coaching staff to give him real minutes — and he delivered. Over the final six games of the regular season, Bronny averaged 7.2 points on 47.2% shooting, including shooting 40% from three in his sophomore campaign. In the season finale against Utah, he put up 11 points in 19 minutes and looked every bit like a player who belongs.

LeBron didn't hold back when asked about it: "Being on the court with my son is the best thing that's ever happened to me in my career, above everything I've accomplished." That's a man who has won four championships, four MVPs, and an Olympic gold medal talking. The Lakers are underdogs against Houston, but that storyline — the all-time king and his rising son — is the best thing the NBA has going into the 2026 playoffs.