No, a father and son have never played together in the same NBA game. Despite multiple generations of talented basketball families entering the league, the unique confluence of sustained player longevity and generational timing has always prevented a father and son from sharing the court as teammates in an official NBA contest.
The Closest Possibility: LeBron and Bronny James
The dream of a father and son playing together in the National Basketball Association has been most notably expressed by LeBron James, who has publicly stated his desire to compete in the league alongside his son, Bronny James. This aspiration came significantly closer to becoming a reality when the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James as the No. 55 pick in the 2BA Draft.
While Bronny's selection by the Lakers fulfills a crucial part of LeBron's wish, they have not yet played in an official NBA game together. The successful draft pick sets the stage for a potential historic moment in the future, should Bronny secure a roster spot and participate in a game alongside his father.
Why It Has Not Happened Yet
The primary reason no father and son have played together in the NBA is the substantial age difference between generations. For a father to remain an active player at an elite level when his son is old enough and skilled enough to enter the league typically requires an exceptionally long career for the father and an early entry for the son. Most NBA careers, even those of star players, do not span enough years to overlap directly with their children's professional playing windows.
Notable NBA Father-Son Duos
While they have not played together in the same game, numerous father-son pairs have both carved out careers in the NBA, showcasing a remarkable legacy of basketball talent across generations. These duos include some of the league's most iconic names.
| Father | Son | Notable Teams (Father) | Notable Teams (Son) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Curry | Stephen Curry | Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors | Golden State Warriors |
| Mychal Thompson | Klay Thompson | Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers | Golden State Warriors |
| Arvydas Sabonis | Domantas Sabonis | Portland Trail Blazers | Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings |
| Bill Walton | Luke Walton | Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers |
| LeBron James | Bronny James | Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers | Los Angeles Lakers |
Note: This table highlights prominent examples of father-son duos who have both played in the NBA, though not concurrently in the same official game.
