Bronny James Has One LeBron James Request for Lakers Before Rockets Series
LeBron James is set to appear in his 19th postseason on Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, tying Karl Malone and John Stockton for the most playoff appearances in NBA history.
Beyond the milestone in his Hall of Fame career, what makes the moment even more special is that he will share the court with his son, Bronny James, in the postseason for the first time, calling it "the best thing that's ever happened to me in my career."
Los Angeles is dealing with injuries across the roster, particularly to Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, and as a result, Bronny is expected to see increased minutes. He is embracing the opportunity and has one request for his teammates as they prepare for Saturday's matchup.
Speaking with reporters ahead of the Rockets series, Bronny pointed to his father's vast playoff experience and urged the team to lean on it.
"He's won series, won Finals, I think we just need to have our mind open and ears open and listen to whatever he says because he knows the most. He's only saying that because he wants to win … We just got to listen to him," he said, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
"He's won series, won Finals, I think we just need to have our mind open and ears open and listen to whatever he says because he knows the most. He's only saying that because he wants to win … We just got to listen to him." - Bronny James on LeBron's playoff leadership pic.twitter.com/33e4oL7oux
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 16, 2026
Bronny also reflected on the experience of playing alongside his father for the first time in the postseason.
"It's insane. I mean, I've literally watched his whole career. Now I'm a part of it. So it's a great experience. I'm appreciative of it. But I'm part of the job, too. So I have to do my job as well. I got to lock in," he added.
Bronny was selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft and has faced criticism amid inconsistent performances. However, the playoffs present an opportunity to shift the narrative, something he is capable of doing.
During the regular season, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per game. In April, however, with increased opportunities due to injuries, he improved to 7.2 points per game while shooting 47% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
Meanwhile, James has stepped up whenever needed. He has logged 18 possessions per game without Doncic and Reaves on the floor this season, with the Lakers outscoring opponents by 11.3 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass. Overall, he is averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game.
The Rockets series presents another challenging chapter in LeBron's career, but he has overcome greater obstacles before, most notably leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title after falling behind 3–1 in the Finals. With that track record, he remains more than capable of guiding the Lakers deep into the playoffs while they await the full return of Doncic and Reaves.
Related: LeBron James Sends Kevin Durant Message Before Rockets Series
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 4:10 AM.