“He’s become a really good player, and he’s been one of the better players on the floor almost every day,” Austin Reaves said during Lakers training camp when asked about Bronny James. Fast forward to Sunday night- the Lakers hosted the Miami Heat. With the team shorthanded, Bronny got a few extra minutes on the court. He finished with just two points, but his energy and highlight plays were enough to get the crowd on its feet multiple times.

And in true Austin Reaves fashion, he found a way to make it memorable. After tossing an alley-oop to Bronny, Reaves reflected on the special moment: “I’ve got to be the first person in NBA history to throw a father a lob and a son a lob. … It was a pretty special moment.”

Austin Reaves added 26 points to LA’s 130-120 win over Miami. And in typical AR fashion, he flaunted his exclusive connection with the James father and son.

Towards the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were up 45-36, and Bronny entered the game. Jake LaRavia caught a loose ball and threw it ahead to Austin Reaves. He dribbled once, threw the ball in the air, Bronny flew in, caught the lob mid-air, and slammed it in the rim to score his only two points in the game.

It was theatrical enough for the spectators and the Lakers bench right there at the basket to jump up. LeBron James sprang up like he didn’t have sciatica and almost went to Bronny. But the game had moved on, and James Sr. ended up gracefully clapping on his way back to the bench.

And Reaves is spot on about his flex. On a regular night, if LeBron James was not injured, an alley-oop from AR to the 40-year-old would be common.

Luka Doncic’s 40+point streak ended, but he loved what his teammates did tonight. “He was great,” he said about Bronny. “Those kinds of moments, you never know if you’re going to play or not, he was ready, and it means a lot to us. He was ready to go and it was the right moment.” 

Doncic and Reaves are not the only ones who noticed this legendary moment in NBA history. The Internet too, is living for it.

Austin Reaves has an exclusive privilege with LeBron’s family

Short of LeBron and Bronny James stepping onto the court for the first time as teammates, Austin Reaves is building his highlight reel early on in the 2025-26 season. Very quickly after his career night with 51 points against the Kings, AR has been the guy in Luka Doncic’s absence.

Doncic’s on his second game since Friday, but Reaves is still a key player. Especially for those assists. Almost immediately after tonight’s games, some of AR’s best alley-oops to LeBron and his other teammates have resurfaced on the Internet. Someone even said, “LeBron’s family (are the) only people who can catch those.”

Think, that game against the Nuggets this February. Reaves found Bron at the baseline, made an alley-oop pass, James Sr. caught it and dunked, and everyone applauded.

Now, months later, he’s recreating these highlight reels with the younger James. Dwyane Wade or Kevin Love have their own iconic on-court moments with LeBron, but can’t flex what Austin can. And if those LeBron retirement rumors come true, most won’t be able to join his club.

Austin has also helped prove that Bronny is a star in progress. Bronny has struggled with minutes and was scoreless for his first three games this season. He’s yet to impress JJ Redick enough despite the mounting injuries.

But tonight proved he can be a great fit in some really cool plays, as Redick admitted, “Thought he [Bronny] was really good on the ball… Now having seen that twice in the last week or so… he arguably made the biggest play of the game.” Does that mean Bronny might be coming off the bench more often? We’ll see.