The Los Angeles Lakers have secured their first victory of 2024 in a thrilling summer league showdown, edging past the Atlanta Hawks with a narrow 87-86 win. This triumph not only snapped the Lakers' five-game losing streak but also highlighted the promising talent of rookie guard Bronny James.
Bronny James Shines Despite Early Struggles
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, had a breakout performance. Starting the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper, he set the tone early. Despite a shaky start to his summer league campaign, where he averaged 4.3 points and missed all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four games, James found his rhythm in this critical matchup.
James concluded the game with 12 points, a personal summer league high, nine of which he scored in the first half. He demonstrated improved accuracy, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts and sinking 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. His crucial three-pointer in the final moments of the game was pivotal in tying the score, setting the stage for the Lakers' defensive stop that ultimately secured the victory.
"My mom, my dad really help me, encouraging me to stay focused and keep being myself," James shared post-game. "So I feel like that's a big part of how I came out [tonight]." His persistence and determination were evident as he added, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Strong Support from Team and Family
Lakers center Colin Castleton also had a standout performance with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton spoke highly of James' contributions, noting, "I think he's stepping into a good role. It takes a little bit of time. He has a lot of pressure, a lot of things on him. So he has a great mindset. He's a great kid, great teammate, and we love being around him. Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm."
The Lakers' victory came without the presence of their first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, and the Hawks' No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher, who both did not play in the game. Despite these absences, the intensity of the game was palpable, culminating in a crucial defensive stand that clinched the Lakers' win in the closing seconds.
One notable narrative from the Lakers' recent games was the social media buzz around Jaylen Brown, who appeared to critique Bronny James during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. Addressing this, Rich Paul commented, "You can't take everybody's opinion and try to turn it against him or think that he's a bad person. At least [Brown] is someone who is actually in the league. There's a lot of 'experts' with no expertise; he's actually an expert with expertise. So, if he has that opinion, he can have that opinion. I know Jaylen. I know he doesn't mean that with any malice. He was just having a conversation."
Looking Forward
With this victory behind them, the Lakers have two more scheduled games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. The team's focus will undoubtedly be on maintaining their newfound momentum and further integrating their young talents, including Bronny James.
Assistant coach Dane Johnson expressed confidence in James' shot selection, saying, "He had those same shots previously, and he just missed them. So, we're going to encourage him to keep taking those. If he's open and we have an open catch-and-shoot [shot], we want him to shoot those, along with everybody else. Open catch-and-shoot threes are what we're looking for. Even if you're not making them, believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself."
As Bronny himself noted, playing alongside his father, LeBron James, in the NBA is a special experience. "I feel like playing together [and] going to work together every day is just going to build on the relationship we already have. Build that connection, maybe even stronger. But I'm excited to get to work with my dad."
The Lakers' latest win and the emerging prowess of Bronny James offer a fresh and exciting chapter for the storied franchise, promising an engaging journey ahead for fans and players alike.