In a shocking twist that has left Lakers fans and the basketball world reeling, LeBron James and his wife, Savannah, have opened up about the devastating reemergence of their son Bronny James’ health struggles, two years after his near-fatal cardiac arrest. The NBA Summer League 2025, meant to be a showcase of Bronny’s growth as a player, instead became a heart-wrenching reminder of the fragility of his recovery. The James family, long celebrated for their unity and resilience, now faces a new battle as they confront the lingering effects of Bronny’s congenital heart defect, which has cast a shadow over his promising career and their hopes for a father-son NBA legacy.

A Terrifying Flashback to 2023

It was July 24, 2023, when the James family’s world turned upside down. Bronny, then an 18-year-old freshman at USC, collapsed during a routine basketball practice at the Galen Center. The diagnosis was chilling: a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect.” Rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Bronny underwent life-saving surgery, leaving a six-inch scar down his chest—a permanent reminder of the day he almost lost everything. LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and Savannah, his steadfast partner, stood by their son, thanking the USC medical staff for their swift response. “Shout-out to the man above,” LeBron said in the Netflix docuseries Starting 5, reflecting on the miracle of Bronny’s survival.

The road to recovery was grueling. Bronny missed the start of his college season but made a triumphant return on December 10, 2023, against Long Beach State, with LeBron in the stands, nerves raw as he watched his son take the court. “The best play of the whole game is when he walked off on his own, in his own power,” LeBron recalled, his voice thick with emotion. The basketball world cheered Bronny’s comeback, and by 2024, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. 55 pick, setting the stage for a historic father-son duo—the first in NBA history.

A Summer League Nightmare

Fast forward to the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where Bronny, now 20, was expected to shine. After a rookie season splitting time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, South Bay Lakers, Bronny had shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 21.9 points on 44.3% shooting in the G League and 14.3 points in Summer League games. Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised his defensive instincts and potential, urging him to focus on “elite cardio fitness” to secure a spot in the rotation. Fans were buzzing with excitement, envisioning Bronny stepping out of his father’s shadow and carving his own path.

But behind the highlight reels, a darker story unfolded. During an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Bronny dropped a bombshell: the effects of his cardiac arrest were far from gone. “I get kind of sick easier now,” he admitted, revealing that the incident had weakened his immune system. A summer illness forced him to miss a week of workouts before the California Classic, sidelining him for the opener and limiting his minutes in subsequent games. For LeBron and Savannah, watching their son struggle to maintain his conditioning was a gut-punch—a haunting echo of the fear they felt two years ago.

“It crushed us,” LeBron confided in a rare moment of vulnerability on The Tylil Show, alongside Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul. “You think he’s past it, that he’s back to being a kid chasing his dreams. Then you see him slowed down, missing time, and it’s like that day at USC all over again.” Savannah, known for her quiet strength, was reportedly in tears as she watched Bronny push through fatigue and illness, his body betraying the relentless work ethic he inherited from his father.

The Family’s New Fight

The James family is no stranger to adversity, but this new chapter tests their resilience like never before. Bronny’s health struggles have sparked a delicate balancing act: nurturing his NBA aspirations while prioritizing his long-term well-being. Medical studies confirm that major cardiac events can compromise immune function, making Bronny’s frequent illnesses a troubling but not unexpected consequence. South Bay Lakers coach Zach Guthrie has taken a proactive approach, likening Bronny’s conditioning to a “basketball 401(k)” and emphasizing daily habits like diet and sleep. Bronny’s offseason regimen is intense—VersaClimber sessions, stationary bike burnouts, incline walks, and windsprints, capped with a 105-shot shooting drill aiming for 80 makes. Yet, every setback, like a week lost to illness, undoes weeks of progress.

LeBron, who turns 41 in December 2025, is grappling with his own crossroads. Rumors swirl that he’s considering leaving the Lakers, despite exercising his $52.6 million player option, as he chases a fifth NBA title. His agent, Rich Paul, emphasized LeBron’s desire to “compete for a championship” while acknowledging the Lakers’ focus on building for the future. For LeBron, the dream of sharing the court with Bronny was a driving force, but now, every missed practice or restricted game for Bronny feels like a blow to that vision. “Family over everything,” LeBron reiterated, a mantra that guides the James household through this storm.

Savannah, the rock of the family, has taken on the role of Bronny’s fiercest advocate. In Starting 5, she spoke of the gratitude that carried them through his recovery, but sources close to the family say she’s now hyper-vigilant, monitoring Bronny’s health with a mother’s instinct sharpened by trauma. “It’s not just about basketball,” a family friend told People. “Savannah’s fighting to make sure Bronny has a future, period—whether that’s on the court or off it.”

The Weight of Expectations

Bronny’s journey is complicated by the unrelenting spotlight of being LeBron James’ son. Critics have hurled accusations of nepotism since his draft day, dismissing his 2.3 points per game in 27 NBA appearances as evidence he’s not ready for the big leagues. Yet, his G League stats tell a different story, showcasing a player with potential to grow into a two-way talent. Former NBA player Chandler Parsons, while supportive, argued the G League is where Bronny belongs for now, stating, “This isn’t the business of pleasing LeBron James, it’s the business of winning basketball games.”

Rich Paul pushed back against the criticism, calling Bronny’s rookie year a “real jump” and highlighting the unique pressures he faces. “He was thrown into the fire,” Paul said, pointing to the physicality and pace of the NBA as a steep learning curve for a player still rebuilding his body. Bronny himself remains introspective, admitting he shies away from the spotlight. “I’m a chill guy. I don’t really like to go back and watch [my highlights],” he told ESPN, focusing instead on gym work and film study to silence the doubters.

A Fanbase Divided

Lakers fans are torn. Some see Bronny’s struggles as a reason to question his place in the NBA, with one fan tweeting, “He shouldn’t be playing at all. This kid could collapse on the court, and the NBA will milk it for ratings.” Others defend his grit, citing his 30-point G League performance in December 2024 as proof of his potential. The fear of another health scare looms large, amplified by the NBA’s history of turning personal struggles into public spectacles. LeBron and Savannah are acutely aware of this, with sources saying they’ve privately discussed pulling Bronny from the Summer League if his health continues to falter.

The Road Ahead

As Bronny prepares for his second NBA season, the James family faces a pivotal moment. JJ Redick’s vision for Bronny—emulating relentless two-way players like T.J. McConnell and Davion Mitchell—requires a level of stamina that his body struggles to sustain. LeBron, meanwhile, is balancing his own legacy with his son’s health, a no-trade clause in his contract giving him leverage to shape his future with or without the Lakers.

For now, the James family is leaning on their unbreakable bond. “We stuck behind each other,” LeBron said of Bronny’s initial recovery, a sentiment that rings true today. As they navigate this new fight, one thing is clear: whether Bronny becomes an NBA star or not, the James family’s love and resilience will define their story far beyond the court.