The duo made history by becoming the first-ever father-son duo to play in the same NBA game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday (06.10.24) and LeBron admits that it was particularly poignant as he didn't have his father present during his formative years.

He told ESPN: "For a father, it means everything.

"For someone who didn't have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence on your son, be able to have moments with your son, and ultimately to be able to work with your son, I think that's one of the greatest things that a father can ever hope for or wish for."

James explained that his coach and former team-mate JJ Redick explained that he planned to put Bronny on court during the game but still says it was a surreal moment to see his boy playing competitively with him.

The four-time NBA champion said: "The moment when we came out of the timeout and he was picking up full court and I went up —because my guy was taking the ball out. We stood next to each other and I kind of looked at him, and it was just like, 'Is this The Matrix or something?' It just didn't feel real."

LeBron was raised in Ohio by his mother Gloria and explained that she filled the role of both "mother and father" at the same time.

He said back in 2014: "[Gloria] gave me strength to a point where I never even had to think about that, and I have no idea where she got it from.

"To this day, I still won't even ask her, but she's definitely the champion."