PALM DESERT — It’s common to downplay the significance of preseason games since they don’t count in the official statistical or standings record books. But that doesn’t mean meaningful moments can’t happen. And the Lakers’ 118-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at Acrisure Arena provided the best example. When LeBron and Bronny James took the floor together at the start of the second quarter, they made history by becoming the first father and son to play together in an NBA game. And they did it as teammates. “Not real,” LeBron said on how it felt to share the floor with Bronny. “Still trying to get a little bit used to it, but pretty cool. It’s pretty cool for the both of us and especially for our family.” During his pregame news conference, Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t disclose whether the father and son would play at the same time, saying it would “happen in the flow of a game” and not be “gimmicky”. And that’s exactly what happened on Sunday. Bronny said postgame that Redick told him and LeBron earlier on Sunday that they’d share the floor against the Suns. “I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny said. “But I just got out there and it felt like a normal game with my teammate, to be honest.” Redick said that he chose to play LeBron and Bronny alongside each other when he did because he wanted to give them a chance to play together in the preseason. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this,” Redick said. “I’ve said that a few times. It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in Year 22. “It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point and really just the fatherly care and love and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well. Bronny’s such a great kid and he’s a pleasure to be around.” The shared moments between LeBron and Bronny were scarce. They provided fullcourt defensive pressure on the Suns’ opening possession of the second quarter. LeBron initiated a dribble-handoff with Bronny, who immediately got his feet set and shot a 3-pointer after receiving the pass from his father nearly four minutes into the fourth. But Bronny’s shot hit the back of the rim. “I was really hoping that wing three on the little side DHO had gone in,” Redick said. “That would have been a cool moment, but they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.” The elder James, who didn’t play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, looked spry in his first exhibition, finishing with 19 points (8-of-12 shooting, 2 of 3 on 3-pointers), five rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots in 16 first-half minutes. All-Star big man Anthony Davis, who also made his preseason debut, had 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal in 18 minutes. “It was a special moment,” Davis said of LeBron and Bronny sharing the floor. “Obviously we want to see a play that them two make, and we’ll have time to see that throughout the preseason, throughout the season. We all kind of enjoyed that, for sure.” LeBron and Davis didn’t play in the second half, with Max Christie (12 points) and Jaxson Hayes (five points, eight rebounds) starting the third quarter in their places. The Suns also sat their star players – Devin Booker (12 points, three assists), Kevin Durant (six points, five rebounds) and Bradley Beal (11 points) – in the second half, which the Lakers entered leading 69-57. Rui Hachimura (13 points, eight rebounds) and D’Angelo Russell (14 points, four assists) also scored in double figures for the Lakers. Redick acknowledged that it’s “surreal” having LeBron and Bronny on the same team. The James’ teammates have acknowledged how special it is to play alongside the father-son duo. “I’ve been around those guys a good bit now, so for me, it’s really off the court,” Russell said after Saturday’s practice. “You kind of see the words of wisdom that Bron’s dropping whenever he gets the chance. Pulling his little one to the side, dropping jewels whenever he gets the chance. “That’s a cheat to the test, right? You got somebody that has all the answers. That’s the ultimate advantage that Bronny has knowing his dad is the teacher and the test. So it’s good to have that.” Related Articles Lakers | Lakers’ LeBron James, Anthony Davis expected to make preseason debuts Sunday Lakers | Lakers, without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, drop preseason opener Lakers | LeBron James not playing in Lakers’ preseason opener vs. Timberwolves Lakers | Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell looking to eliminate distractions, step up defensively Lakers | Lakers’ JJ Redick finding balance with analytics and data LeBron, who is entering his 22nd NBA season, has been speaking of the possible opportunity to play alongside his oldest son for several years and the Lakers made it possible when they drafted Bronny with the 55th overall pick in June. LeBron, 39, and Bronny’s time on the court together in the second quarter was short-lived, with Bronny, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, subbing out four minutes into the quarter. But those few minutes are ones neither of them will likely ever forget. “It’s definitely a moment that I’ll never forget,” LeBron said. “It’s pretty cool.” LeBron and Bronny will have to wait at least two more weeks before they have the opportunity to share the floor in a regular-season game when the Lakers kick off the season against the Timberwolves on Oct. 22.