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In an exhibition showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, LeBron James exited the hardwood after a first-half performance. The Lakers' luminary clocked 17.5 minutes, accruing a respectable stat line of 12 points, two rebounds, and five assists before heading to the sidelines to join his son, Bronny James, for the remainder of the game.
This father-son bonding moment during the halftime drew significant attention on social media platforms, receiving largely positive feedback from fans. Notably, many supporters were relieved to see the interaction given Bronny's recent health concerns related to his heart.
However, the sentimental scene wasn't universally lauded.
Fan Reactions
One fan took a jab at the multi-generational basketball display, likening LeBron James and Bronny James to "Jonathan Kuminga's son and grandson." Another social media user threw a curveball into the discussion, suggesting that a video of Steph Curry and his son Canon would have been a more compelling sight.
Yet another commenter simply dismissed the hype with a succinct, "We don't care." On the other side, Warriors’ ace Steph Curry also played in a restricted role. He dazzled in just over 20 minutes, churning out 18 points, three rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.
Curry's limited minutes, like LeBron James, were unsurprising considering it was merely a preseason bout and broadcast nationally on ESPN, thereby diminishing the necessity for the league's stars to overexert themselves. The game ultimately unfolded as a showcase for Warriors' young talent Jonathan Kuminga.
He led Golden State to a 129-125 victory, amassing 26 points on a highly efficient 9-for-12 shooting performance, alongside three rebounds, three assists, and a couple of steals. Whether it was the James family sideline rendezvous or Jonathan Kuminga's headline-grabbing performance, this preseason contest was far from short on narratives, showing the NBA's unique ability to remain captivating even when the games don't count in the standings.