Bronny James Shines in Lakers’ Loss to Bucks, Setting Career High
Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, delivered a standout performance for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, achieving a career-high in points despite the team’s significant 118-89 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena. With a roster heavily depleted due to injuries, James seized the opportunity to showcase his talent, offering a glimpse into his potential future in the league.
The Lakers entered the game severely shorthanded, missing key players like LeBron James (groin), Luka Doncic (right ankle), Austin Reaves (right ankle), Rui Hachimura (patella), Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle), and Jarred Vanderbilt (right groin). This absence of established stars provided a platform for younger players like James to gain valuable experience and demonstrate their capabilities.
Bronny James, playing in his 22nd NBA game, capitalized on the increased playing time and responsibility. The 20-year-old guard finished the night with an impressive 17 points, marking the first time he has reached double figures in his professional career. This performance was not just a statistical achievement, but a tangible sign of his growth and increasing comfort level within the Lakers system.
Beyond the points, James’ overall contribution was noteworthy. He logged 29 minutes and 53 seconds of playing time, the third-highest on the team, trailing only Dalton Knecht and Jordan Goodwin. He shared the team lead in scoring with Knecht, both contributing 17 points apiece. This significant court time also represents the most minutes James has played in a single game thus far, underlining the increased trust and reliance placed upon him by the coaching staff during this challenging period.
James’ shooting efficiency was particularly impressive. He connected on 7 out of his 10 field goal attempts, displaying accuracy and decisiveness. His perimeter shooting was also on display, as he went 2 for 4 from beyond the three-point arc. This combination of inside and outside scoring demonstrates a developing versatility in his offensive game.
Speaking after the game, James emphasized the importance of continued development and seizing opportunities. "Gaining my confidence and gain my comfortability over reps, you know, and getting out there and taking advantage of my opportunity if it’s given, so just being ready at all times is the biggest thing for me," he stated. This quote reveals a mature understanding of his role and the need for constant improvement.
The significance of Bronny James’ journey is not lost on observers. Seth Curry, brother of NBA superstar Steph Curry, acknowledged the unique pressures and expectations that come with James’ last name and lineage. Curry understands the scrutiny and attention that Bronny faces as he navigates his early NBA career. "Definitely feel for him," Curry said, hinting at the weight of expectations placed upon the young player.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed his satisfaction with James’ performance, indicating that it was not entirely unexpected. "We’ve obviously monitored him in the G (League) and feel like he’s, you know, in those sort of end game situations when he’s gotten a chance to play with us, he’s been really good," Redick commented. This suggests that James has been steadily improving in the G League, the NBA’s developmental league, and has shown promising signs in limited NBA appearances.
Redick’s assessment went further, expressing a strong belief in James’ long-term potential. "So not surprised by tonight," he said, referring to the career-high performance. "It was obvious to me from the moment, you know, I started spending time with him on the court this summer, you know he was certainly going to be an NBA player. And I still believe that. He’ll be an NBA player." This endorsement from the head coach offers a significant vote of confidence and reinforces the Lakers’ commitment to developing James’ skills and integrating him into the team’s future plans.
While the Lakers suffered a substantial defeat against the Bucks, Bronny James’ individual performance provided a silver lining and a reason for optimism. In a game marred by injuries and a lack of star power, he stepped up and delivered a career-best showing, demonstrating his potential to contribute to the team’s success in the future. This game serves as a valuable learning experience and a crucial step in his ongoing development as an NBA player. With continued hard work and dedication, Bronny James appears poised to carve out a significant role for himself in the league. His performance against the Bucks offered a tantalizing glimpse of what he may be capable of achieving. The Lakers, despite the loss, can find some solace in the emergence of a young player with a bright future.
