The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of the 2024 summer league season with a nail-biting 87-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. This win marked the end of a five-game losing streak for the Lakers, instilling a sense of optimism in the team's summer league prospects. Central to the victory was rookie guard Bronny James, who demonstrated a blend of skill and poise under pressure.
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, wasted no time making his presence felt, starting the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper. His performance was a testament to his hard work and the unwavering support of his family. "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]," Bronny said, reflecting on his breakout performance.
Bronny’s Breakout Game
James had a challenging start to his summer league campaign, averaging 4.3 points and missing all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four games. However, his perseverance paid off as he scored 12 points against the Hawks, including a crucial three-pointer late in the game that tied the score. Overall, he displayed increased efficiency, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Reflecting on his approach to the game, Bronny emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," James noted. His tenacity and willingness to keep shooting despite previous struggles were critical in lifting the Lakers to their first summer league win.
Team Effort and Key Contributions
While Bronny’s performance was noteworthy, the entire team contributed to the hard-fought victory. Lakers center Colin Castleton had a standout game, posting an impressive stat line with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton's all-around performance provided the Lakers with the stability they needed both offensively and defensively.
Castleton praised Bronny’s effort and growth, highlighting the significant pressures that come with his surname. "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."
Dane Johnson, one of the coaching staff, echoed this sentiment by encouraging Bronny to continue taking open shots. "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."
Absent Stars and Future Matches
Notably absent from the game were the Hawks' No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher, and the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht. Their absence was felt, but the game still offered plenty of drama and excitement for fans.
A social media post added another layer to the narrative, capturing Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. Despite the perceived critique, Brown had words of encouragement for the young player. "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, defended Brown’s comments, emphasizing that constructive criticism from knowledgeable sources should be valued. "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."
As the Lakers look forward to their upcoming games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, Bronny James remains optimistic about his journey in the NBA. "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 shared, highlighting the unique experience of navigating his rookie season with the support of his father.
The victory against the Hawks, spearheaded by Bronny's resilience and Castleton's all-around performance, offers a promising glimpse into the future of the Lakers' young talent as they forge ahead in the summer league.