LeBron James will skip a Lakers game to catch son Bronny's USC debut

Bronny, 19, suffered a cardiac arrest during a team workout in July and underwent successful surgery to repair what the James family referred to as a likely congenital heart defect.

However, the teenager has now been cleared to make a return to basketball, meaning he is soon set to make his USC bow.

And a Lakers game will not stop James being there to see his son's big moment.

"Whenever he's cleared and ready to have his first game, I already told my teammates that if they play on the same day we're playing, I'm going to have to catch them the next game," James said after the Lakers lost 133-110 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Heading home pic.twitter.com/p20E48A9St

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 1, 2023

"Family over everything. I've definitely got to see Bronny's first game whenever he's cleared and ready to go.

"Just a proud moment. Big-time excitement from our family for Bronny. And for USC, as well.

"It's something that he's been working towards for the last 12 weeks. And for him to get the clearance to do what he loves to do and go back to being with his teammates and put on a uniform and things of that nature, it's pretty gratifying for sure."

While Lakers coach Darvin Ham finds it difficult to assess his team's season so far, he is nevertheless thrilled to see Bronny back on the court.