On a tough night for the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James emerged as a bright spot. LeBron James’ eldest son set new career highs with 17 points and five assists in his longest NBA stint during a 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
With his father sidelined due to injury, Bronny James became the Lakers’ most productive offensive player, stepping up in a game where the team was missing its top four scorers. He finished the game shooting 7-of-10 from the field, showcasing the growth and potential that has head coach JJ Redick confident in his ability to contribute at the professional level.
“We’ve been keeping an eye on him in the G League and feel like when he’s been given the chance to play with us, especially in end-game situations, he’s been very good,” Redick said. “So tonight’s performance didn’t surprise me.”
James had the chance to play more due to the absence of starters Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who were sidelined with sprained right ankles. They joined LeBron James (groin injury) and Rui Hachimura (patella issue) on the bench in street clothes. Key bench players Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle) and Jarred Vanderbilt (right groin strain) were also unavailable for the game.
With several key players missing from the lineup, Bronny James stepped up to fill the scoring gap. One standout moment came in the first half when he made a long outlet pass to Markeith Morris for a layup, a play that echoed his legendary father’s style.
“Building my confidence and getting comfortable with more reps is important, and making the most of my opportunities when they come my way. Staying ready at all times is crucial for me,” Bronny James shared.
Thursday’s game marked the third time this season that James had played in at least three consecutive games. Head coach JJ Redick has noticed his growing comfort level as the Southern California native gains more experience on the court. James played 29:53 minutes, the third-most on the team, trailing only rookie Dalton Knecht and fourth-year guard Jordan Goodwin.
Despite the Lakers being thoroughly outmatched in their loss, Bronny James found himself in a familiar position as the team’s main focus afterward. Head coach JJ Redick believes that James is more than capable of handling this role, given his strong foundation.
Redick shared a memory from before he became the Lakers’ coach, when he observed James’ media sessions at the NBA draft combine. He texted a friend saying, “Man, Bronny has his head on straight. He gets it.”
Since then, Redick has been continually impressed by James’ maturity. He believes that from the moment they first worked together on the court during the summer, it was clear that James had the potential to be an NBA player. Redick remains confident that James will have a successful NBA career.