On Friday night, Bronny James made his NBA preseason debut while LeBron James sat out the Lakers’ first of two games in Coachella Valley, a home game against Minnesota.

After three days of intense training, Lakers coach JJ Redick decided to sit out LeBron James’s game against the Timberwolves. However, Sunday, which happens to be Bronny’s 20th birthday, is when the 39-year-old James is expected to play against Phoenix.

With 56.9 seconds remaining in the game, Bronny James made a layup after missing his first five shots; he finished with two points as the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves, 124-107. While playing the most of the second and third quarters and all sixteen minutes of the game, the 6-foot-2 guard not only scored a point but also blocked three shots, grabbed a rebound, and assisted on a basket.

“I was impressed by Bronny’s performance,” Redick remarked. The truth is that he’s a joy to coach since he has a wonderful spirit and boundless enthusiasm. His company is pleasant to me. He has my support. Our program is fortunate to have him as a player since he is a fantastic player.Even though he and his father will make history by playing in an NBA game together, Bronny James is well aware that he still has a long way to go. At Acrisure Arena, just outside of Palm Springs, he had his first opportunity to play in Lakers gold as the second quarter began.

On Bronny’s initial defensive possession, Rob Dillingham was able to make an easy 3-pointer since he was picked off by starting Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell. Bronny sprinted back and thwarted Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s layup attempt after the latter intercepted Bronny’s pass.

“It became apparent that he is capable of doing some really unique defensive things for a player of his size, and that he has the potential to become a really disruptive defender,” Redick raved. “Our job as a player development program is to help him develop, and he’s still finding his offensive footing.”

Within the first six minutes of play, Bronny attempted three shots—one of which was a 3-pointer—but he was unable to make the basket. He got an assist when, during a fast break, he set up Rui Hachimura for a 3-pointer from the corner.

Upon his return to the court at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Bronny attempted a layup but was unsuccessful and missed a jump shot. He scored his first point in the last minute after receiving a pass from fellow rookie Dalton Knecht and completing a layup loop that went over a defender.

After three productive practices this week, Bronny was named to the starting lineup for the Lakers’ preseason opener, according to Redick.

In order to give his eldest son Bronny space to concentrate on the game, LeBron seemed to be maintaining a respectful distance from him. Midway through the second quarter, during a timeout, LeBron spoke at length to Bronny, using hand gestures to clarify things while Bronny nodded.

Bronny James participated in the Las Vegas Summer League after being selected by the Lakers in the second round of the draft. Preseason play with the Lakers is in the cards, and he’ll likely split time between the Lakers and the South Bay Lakers of the G League next season.