LeBron And Bronny James Could Make NBA History In Lakers’ Season Opener

Tuesday night's LA Lakers season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves will likely be historical, according to Shams Charania, ESPN Senior NBA Insider.

Charania shared that LeBron and Bronny James will likely play together for the first time in a regular season game on Tuesday. He also said it's likely that the father-son duo will play together "early" in the much-anticipated game.

While LeBron, 39, and his son Bronny, 20, played a few minutes together during a Lakers' preseason game earlier in the month, the duo playing together in a regular season game will be once again making NBA history.

LeBron shared the emotional experience of playing with his son during a preseason game during an interview with ESPN.

"For a father, it means everything," LeBron told ESPN after the historic moment. "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."

According to Charania, tonight could be the night NBA fans watch history in the making with the first father and son duo playing together at the same time.

"It’s expected that Bronny James will make his regular-season debut with the Lakers tonight. The Lakers want to allow this to happen in the flow of the game and 'in a competitive environment,'" Charania wrote in an Instagram caption.

On Tuesday's episode of "SportsCenter," Charania said it's "very likely" that Tuesday's game is when LeBron and Bronny will become the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together.

"I'm told it's very likely, and the Lakers plan that LeBron James, Bronny James make history as the first father-son duo to be on the court at the same time, and likely to come early in the game as long as it's competitive and it's a flowing game as far as where the Lakers are at early on in that game," Charania said.

"I think that's going to be very important. The Lakers want to allow this to happen during the flow of the game in a competitive environment. JJ Redick said on Monday that there is no plan finalized yet for both of them to play together on opening night, but this is something the Lakers have spent a lot of time discussing internally. It's never happened in the NBA before, may never, likely happen again. You think about LeBron James in year 22, he's really spoken this into existence. He's been talking about it for the last several years and now it is on the cusp of happening as soon as tonight."

Some NBA fans are excited to see the father and son play together during the season opener, but others, not so much.

"History to be made," one person wrote in the comment section. Another added, "They’re just trying to hurry up and get this over with. Give him about 3 minutes and then put someone else in."

While many comments were negative, one fan shared a supportive, "Prove em wrong Bronny." Another commented, "Would be epic history if @kingjames & @bronny got a ring together!" One other supporter predicted, "I actually think he’s coming out in the starting lineup to make NBA history with his pops!"

After playing with Bronny in a preseason game, LeBron told reporters that JJ Redick, Lakers coach and LeBron's former teammate, planned to put Bronny into the game at some point.

"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?'" the proud father said.

"It just didn't feel real."

LeBron took to Instagram the following day to share the history making moment and talk about how proud he is with a carousel of photos from the game. No caption was provided, but based on the comments, it wasn't needed.

"This is the swaggiest set of pics I’ve ever seen," one fan wrote. Another added, "I can’t even lie—this is truly beautiful. It’s hitting me on an emotional level because there’s nothing more underrated than a father putting in all the work to ensure his son has a better life. Congrats to this incredible family for all the dedication. To the father who did his homework, the son who’s been grinding, and the mother whose hard work can’t be overlooked—you all deserve this moment."

After Bronny's debut in the NBA during Summer League, many were heard talking about nepotism and sharing negativity and criticism loudly. LeBron told ESPN that Bronny "doesn't care."

"I don't know if people really understand Bronny. He doesn't care," LeBron told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I actually cared a little bit when I came in [as a rookie]. I wanted people to like me and some of the things that people were saying about me kind of bothered me early on in my career. I let it get to me. Bronny doesn't give a f---."

The proud dad also said that his son "works his tail off" and when he's done working, he plays video games and "does not care about nobody."

"He doesn't even listen to that stuff. He's like the coolest," he continued. "He's like the complete opposite of his dad. His dad will say something. Bro does not care. Everything that's being said about him, he really does not care."

The Lakers season opener against the Timberwolves is tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.