LeBron James Makes NBA History With First Mid-Game Grounding

LOS ANGELES—During the Los Angeles Lakers opening game of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, LeBron James again made history by performing the first mid-game grounding.

The historic moment took place shortly before the end of the second quarter.

“Bronny, I made you. In more ways than one,” LeBron was heard saying at mid-court. “Without me, you wouldn’t even be a decent basketball player or alive. Don’t even think about coming home and trying to play that new Call of Duty. If you beat me one-on-one in the driveway, then, and only then, will I think about giving you that Xbox back.”

In a post-game press conference, LeBron’s son, Bronny, commented on his father’s decision.

“Bron’s always doing shit like this,” Bronny said out of earshot of his father. “And he said I can call him Bron because we’re teammates now. I’m a big boy.”

Newly minted head coach of the Lakers, JJ Redick, also commented on the historic feat.

“Before the game, LeBron was insistent that Bronny got a little playing time,” Redick said. “I thought that, sure, he wanted to make history playing with his son. LeBron gets what he wants. I’ll throw him in for a few minutes. Then, during a timeout, they didn’t come to the huddle. LeBron grabbed him by the jersey while walking toward the huddle and berated him in the middle of the court. I couldn’t believe it; I was witnessing history before my eyes. I guess that’s why they call him the GOAT.”

At press time, LeBron also announced that Bronny would miss the next few games due to a new, tightly enforced curfew.

End of the Bench will have more on this story after we call our dad.

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