LeBron and Bronny James join forces on the Lakers for the inaugural time ever in an NBA preseason game together.

Bronny James ran onto the court during a preseason game between his Lakers and father LeBron, on Sunday in Palm Desert while being welcomed by LeBron himself during an Associated Press broadcast of LeBron’s left-handed hammer shot against Suns on Monday evening (William Liang/ Associated Press). (Photo credit William Liang/ Associated Press). LeBron then unleashed another left-handed hammer shot which scored four points. (William Liang/ Associated Press). He leapt through the air to deflect an attempt at shooting. At first, Year 22 seemed relatively consistent for LeBron James on its inaugural night — although only during preseason — though nothing too spectacular had changed on court.But Sunday night at the start of second quarter play he made history when, for perhaps the first time as professionals, LeBron and Bronny James shared court time together for four minutes, nine seconds. “Not real,” LeBron James described their first NBA matchup together. He and his son Jalen James both found it “pretty cool”, noting how special this momentous occasion is both for themselves as individuals as well as their family unit. It will certainly go down as one of NBA history’s great moments! “James would respond six times during his five-minute postgame interview by repeating, “pretty cool”. Their official debut won’t happen until they play together during regular season play, but Sunday provided fans a first look at one of Bronny James’ greatest highlights of longevity as an NBA pro — not only as one but as one of its finest as well! Also coincidently Sunday marked Bronny James’ 20th birthday! Informed players earlier today by Los Angeles coach JJ Redick that JJ Redick planned on playing them together this Sunday morning before practice began! “I was really pumped,” Bronny James admitted, “but once out on the field it felt just like any normal game with my teammate. “Lakers second-round pick Bronny James has sought not to become distracted by all the excitement surrounding his presence or potential moments with his father on-court. “All I think about now is, “That’s my dad”, because that literally is!” He noted with humor.” “So when I play, he is just another teammate; that is all my focus at that time,” she explained. However, to those surrounding the organization it means much more. Adding that two-on-two pick-and-roll practice had never felt more surreal: both players engaging with one another side by side! Redick anticipated how exciting and honored it will be when both players took the court together, saying pregame: “I can’t wait. I feel honored that I get to participate in history!” The Lakers lost their second preseason game 118-114; not exactly an earthshaking performance by any stretch. Viewed as potential distraction by some NBA insiders, playing together has proven almost universally positive in early returns for both parties involved. D’Angelo Russell expressed delight Saturday about witnessing off-court moments between father-son duo Bron and D’Angelo Russell – the first ever father-son duo in NBA history. “Bron’s dropping words of wisdom whenever possible.” Russell revealed his secret by pulling his little one to one side and dropping jewels whenever the opportunity presented itself. Russell noted, “That’s like cheating the test; having someone know all of your answers.” “For Bronny James, however, all this seems secondary as he works to establish himself as an important contributor in training camp without becoming part of one of the greatest stories in NBA history. To be completely honest with you I couldn’t tell you (how he stays balanced). It’s too difficult,” Bronny James admitted. “There’s been a lot going on; all I want to focus on right now is my job and doing what is expected of me. That keeps me grounded. Unfortunately, on Sunday the pair did not deliver on an exceptional moment that could truly demonstrate their accomplishment.” James was just inches away from making it count when he passed the ball to Bronny but his rookie guard missed a three-point attempt with Redick waiting in anticipation. “I really wished that little side wing three (dribble hand off) shot had gone in!” Redick lamented. “That would have been an awesome moment, but they will surely share many memorable experiences together in their lifetimes,” commented Michaels. James displayed no signs of fatigue in his first game since competing at the Paris Olympic, looking like one of Team USA’s most dynamic players despite sharing court space with Anthony Davis, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant from Team USA.He made 8 out of 12 shots from the field with five rebounds and four assists while lasting 16 minutes.” He didn’t play in the second half. Davis, who opened up with an opening lob dunk, finished with 17 points and eight rebounds to contribute “never missed a beat,” said Davis postgame. Lakers who led by 16 in first half but lost in second were outscored 61-45 but there was mostly good will postgame. On Monday afternoon against Minnesota, the team showed signs of improvement as it adjusted to Redick’s new system and celebrated an unforgettable moment between its most accomplished player and son. “That moment when he started picking up full court and I went up because my guy had taken out the ball… we stood next to each other; and it just felt surreal!” LeBron James recounted. Sign up below for our weekly Lakers-focused email newsletter or view original story published in Los Angeles Times