The Los Angeles Lakers secured a narrow victory against the Atlanta Hawks in their first win of the 2024 summer league, with a final score of 87-86. Rookie guard Bronny James was pivotal in this hard-fought contest, making significant plays that underpinned the Lakers' long-awaited triumph, breaking a five-game losing streak.
Bronny James Shines Under Pressure
The spotlight was on Bronny James, who was drafted 55th overall in 2024. James initiated the game confidently, starting with a 17-foot pull-up jumper, setting the tone for his and the team's performance. The young guard finished the game with 12 points, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
James' first-half performance was particularly notable, scoring nine of his 12 points before halftime. Despite a challenging start to the summer league – where he averaged 4.3 points and missed all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four games – James demonstrated resilience. His late-game heroics, including a crucial three-pointer that tied the game, were instrumental.
Reflecting on his performance, James credited his family for their unwavering 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]." In the face of his earlier shooting woes, he maintained an aggressive approach: "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Team Effort and Key Contributions
While Bronny James drew much of the spotlight, it was a team effort that secured the victory. Center Colin Castleton had a standout performance, leading the Lakers with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton commended his teammate, stating, "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' defense also played a critical role in the closing seconds. A decisive defensive stop preserved their slim one-point lead, securing the win against an Atlanta Hawks team missing their No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher.
Dane Johnson, reflecting on James’ shooting, acknowledged the importance of persistence: "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."
A Glimpse Into Bronny’s Development
The young guard's journey is closely monitored, and not just because of his lineage. Jaylen Brown, who posted a viral critique of Bronny during a Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics, described the unique position Bronny is in: "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."
Rich Paul, Bronny's agent, added context to Brown's comments: "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 Ahead
The Lakers now turn their attention to the upcoming games in Las Vegas, where they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. With their first win under their belt and a potent mix of young talent and experienced guidance, the Lakers are poised to build upon their recent success.
For Bronny James, the focus remains on growth and development, both on and off the court. As he put it, "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."