The Los Angeles Lakers have secured their first victory of 2024, edging out the Atlanta Hawks by a single point in a thrilling 87-86 summer league game. The spotlight was on rookie guard Bronny James, who played a pivotal role in clinching the win.
The Rise of Bronny James
Bronny James, selected as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, showcased his potential early in the match by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper. This marked a promising start for James, who had struggled in the first four summer league games, averaging just 4.3 points and failing to convert any of his 15 three-point attempts.
However, James turned things around in the game against the Hawks, finishing with an impressive 12 points. He was particularly effective in the first half, scoring nine points and hitting 5 of 11 field goal attempts, including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc. James capped off his performance by making a crucial three-pointer late in the game to tie the score, a shot that underscored his growing confidence and poise under pressure.
Reflecting on his performance, Bronny credited his family for their support. "My mom, my dad really help me, encouraging me to stay focused and keep being myself. So I feel like that's a big part of how I came out [tonight]," James said. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining an aggressive approach, stating, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Team Effort and Strategic Play
The Lakers' victory was a collective effort, punctuated by a critical defensive stop in the closing seconds that sealed the win. Center Colin Castleton was a standout performer, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton praised Bronny's development, 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 game was also notable for the absence of some key players. Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, and the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, both did not play. Despite these absences, the Lakers managed to end their five-game losing streak with this hard-fought victory.
Reactions and Future Prospects
Outside of the game, a social media post showed Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. Brown later clarified his stance, expressing admiration for Bronny's journey alongside his father. "It's a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA. It reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I look forward to watching his growth," Brown remarked.
Rich Paul, Bronny's agent, also weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that not all criticism is negative. "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," Paul said.
Lakers' coach Dane Johnson offered a strategic perspective on Bronny's performance, encouraging continued confidence and assertiveness. "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," Johnson explained.
As Bronny James continues to mature on the court, he is also looking forward to deepening his relationship with his father through their shared professional experiences. "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," Bronny said.
With two more games scheduled in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the Lakers and their fans will be eager to see if this victory marks the beginning of a successful summer league run.