The Los Angeles Lakers finally broke their five-game losing streak with a nail-biting 87-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, marking their first win of 2024. The summer league game was a thrilling showcase of young talent, with rookie guard Bronny James taking center stage and making a decisive impact.
Bronny, who was the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, showed glimpses of his potential from the outset. He opened the game with a smooth 17-foot pull-up jumper, setting the tone for his performance. After averaging only 4.3 points and struggling to find his touch beyond the arc in the first four summer league games, James found his rhythm, finishing the night with 12 points, including nine in the first half. He successfully made 5-of-11 field goal attempts and demonstrated improved accuracy from three-point range, sinking 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
James' critical three-pointer late in the contest tied the game, providing a crucial scoring boost when it mattered most. Reflecting on his performance, James credited his parents for their continuous support, saying, "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]."
His resilience was evident throughout the game. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," James added. His persistence paid off and played a significant role in the team's victory.
Center Colin Castleton also delivered a stellar performance for the Lakers. Castleton, who dominated both ends of the court, posted an impressive stat line with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Praising James, he said, "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."
While the Lakers celebrated their victory, the Hawks were notably missing their No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher. Similarly, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, did not take part in the game. Despite these absences, the game was intensely competitive, ultimately being decided by the Lakers' stout defensive effort in the dying seconds.
The significance of Bronny's developing relationship with his father, NBA legend LeBron James, cannot be overstated. "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 James expressed enthusiastically. This father-son duo in the NBA is a testament to their bond, showcasing both greatness and longevity.
Outside of the game, the shadow of online critiques looms large, as social media posts captured Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. Brown, however, underlined his support for Bronny, stating, "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, a friend and agent, addressed these critiques, emphasizing that opinions—even from knowledgeable sources like Brown—should be taken constructively. "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 remarked.
The Lakers coaching staff is equally supportive of Bronny's development. Assistant coach Dane Johnson commented, "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 the Lakers move forward in the summer league, they will look to build on this momentum with upcoming games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas. This victory not only highlights the team's potential but also marks an exciting start for Bronny James, who continues to carve his own path in the NBA.