Lakers Give Bronny James a Big Opportunity, But It Doesn’t Go Well

The Los Angeles Lakers gave Bronny James, the rookie son of LeBron James, a significant opportunity to showcase his skills during the team’s 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. James received some crucial minutes in the first quarter but struggled under the pressure, especially when matched up against 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.

Bronny James Struggles in First Extended Minutes with Lakers

Bronny James ended the game with a rough stat line: 0-for-5 shooting, three turnovers, and a -9 plus/minus in the first quarter, one of the worst marks in the NBA on that night. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t make an impact and was taken advantage of defensively by Maxey, who dominated the rookie guard whenever the opportunity arose.

“Maybe we put him in a tough spot,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters. “Flying up yesterday, nationally televised game in Philly and all that stuff. He didn’t play well, but he’s been playing great in the stay-ready games, and he’s been playing great in the G [League].”

Maxey Takes Advantage of James’ Rookie Struggles

One of the early moments of the game saw Maxey isolate Bronny James and score easily. This was followed by a turnover from James on offense, which led to a transition bucket for the 76ers. James was also put on defense against Maxey multiple times in the first quarter, allowing baskets on three of the four shots he defended. Maxey went on to have a standout performance, finishing the game with 43 points.

“He’s a fast guard,” Bronny James said of Maxey. “Amazing touch. Can shoot it. I was trying to stand my ground. Just trying to play as hard as I can and bring as much energy as I can. That’s all.”

G-League Performance Earned James the Call-Up

Prior to his first significant minutes with the Lakers, James had been performing well in the G-League. In a Friday night game for the South Bay Lakers, Bronny scored a career-high 31 points. His impressive G-League performance earned him the call-up to play with the Lakers, though his first experience in the NBA did not go as hoped.

“It just came out of nowhere, so I was always trying to stay ready to play and always keeping my mind right,” Bronny said about the unexpected call-up.

Coach Redick: Energy Over Performance in a Back-to-Back

Redick explained that the decision to give James minutes came in part due to the circumstances of a back-to-back game. The Lakers had defeated the Hornets the night before, and Redick hoped that James could provide some energy for the team. Unfortunately, James was unable to make the desired impact on the court.

“Just felt like on a back-to-back, just him giving us energy, I think, was the goal,” Redick said. “I have confidence in him, but obviously didn’t provide that at a high level.”

LeBron James Encourages His Son to Keep Improving

While Bronny’s debut didn’t go according to plan, his father, LeBron James, offered support and encouragement. LeBron acknowledged the significance of the moment for his son, knowing that experience and time on the court would help him grow.

“Obviously, it’s his first extensive minutes with us,” LeBron said. “We had that first game where it was just a moment — and that was a great moment. But tonight was his first opportunity to be with the big guys, be with the big club, and he’s going to continue to use that and get better and better.”

Lakers’ Roster Moves and Anthony Davis Injury

The Lakers, now with a 26-19 record, are looking to improve their roster ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. However, they were dealt a setback on Tuesday as star player Anthony Davis suffered an abdominal strain and missed most of the game. With key players dealing with injuries and the team struggling to find consistency, the Lakers will need to make strategic decisions in the coming weeks to position themselves for a stronger finish to the season.

Bronny James‘ first extended minutes with the Lakers might not have gone as hoped, but it’s clear that his journey is just beginning. With more time and experience, he will likely continue to grow and develop, following in the footsteps of his legendary father.