Bronny James, rookie guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and son of NBA famous person LeBron James, delivered essentially the most spectacular efficiency of his younger profession Thursday night time in his first G League highway recreation.
The 20-year-old scored a game-high 30 factors for the South Bay Lakers in a 106-100 loss to the Valley Suns. James shot 13 of 23 from the sphere, together with 3 of 9 from past the arc, whereas including three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot in 25 minutes.
The breakout recreation was a milestone for James, who struggled with restricted alternatives and accidents throughout his rookie season. Drafted fifty fifth total in June, James has appeared in seven NBA video games this yr, averaging lower than three minutes per recreation.
A profession document night time for Bronny James! THE @Lakers The freshman made his highway debut, scoring a game-high 30 factors on 57% taking pictures. Bronny, after posting a earlier profession excessive of 16 factors, is now averaging 14 PPG, 3.5 RPG and a couple of.5 APG. 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/5QnpeEZQTp
– NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 13, 2024
Going backwards and forwards with the developmental G League, James progressively returned to kind after lacking a number of weeks with a bone bruise in his left heel. The damage, affecting the identical leg that required knee surgical procedure in highschool, had slowed his progress. Coming into Thursday’s recreation, James was averaging 8.7 factors on simply 29.4 % taking pictures in three G League video games.
On Thursday, his scoring greater than tripled his earlier G League profession excessive of 16 factors, set final week in opposition to the San Diego Clippers.
The sport additionally highlighted a change within the Lakers’ method to James’ improvement. Initially, the group restricted him to G League house video games, a transfer that drew criticism for being overly protecting. That coverage was reversed this week, permitting James to achieve priceless expertise on the highway.
“That was the choice on the time,” a league supply informed The Athletic. “Extra reps are good for James.”
James’ efficiency comes because the Lakers take care of accidents of their very own. His father, LeBron James, missed his second straight recreation Friday with foot soreness.
