LeBron: 'priceless' playoff moment

LeBron James said the chance to share playoff minutes with Bronny James is “priceless” as the Los Angeles Lakers open their first-round series Saturday against Houston. (espn.com) James made the comment after practice Thursday in El Segundo, California, before Game 1 on April 18, when the No. 4 Lakers host the No. 5 Rockets at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC. (espn.com) (nba.com) LeBron, 41, said playing with Bronny is “the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career,” and Bronny, 21, said, “My dream is to play in the playoffs.” (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) This is no longer only a ceremonial father-son story. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Bronny “has to be ready” because Los Angeles is short-handed, and LeBron said his son “earned it” and “deserves it.” (sports.yahoo.com) (espn.com) The rotation question changed after Luka Dončić suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and Austin Reaves a Grade 2 left oblique strain, leaving the Lakers thinner in the backcourt entering the series. (espn.com) Bronny cracked Redick’s rotation late in the regular season and averaged 7.2 points in 17.2 minutes over the Lakers’ final six games, shooting 47.2% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. (espn.com) For the full 2025-26 season, Bronny appeared in 42 games and averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists while shooting 40.9% overall and 38.6% from three, both up from his rookie year. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) Redick said he trusts Bronny’s shooting because of “how well he’s shot it for the last two years in the G League,” where Bronny averaged 15.6 points, 3.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 14 games this season. (sports.yahoo.com) The family angle has been building for two seasons. LeBron and Bronny became the first father and son to play together in the National Basketball Association last season, and Bronny also logged two brief playoff appearances against Minnesota in 2025. (apnews.com) (espn.com) Now the Lakers are asking whether that history can help win a series. LeBron said Bronny has put himself “in position to get his number called,” and the Lakers may test that as soon as Saturday night. (espn.com)