In a thrilling summer league showdown, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched their first victory of 2024 by narrowly defeating the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. The game was a significant milestone for rookie guard Bronny James, who played a crucial role in the Lakers' triumph.
Bronny James Steps Up
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, made an immediate impact by starting the game with a 17-foot pull-up jumper. Despite averaging only 4.3 points and failing to make any of his 15 three-point attempts in the first four summer league games, James showcased his potential in this matchup. He finished the game with 12 points, nine of which came in the first half, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts and hitting 2-of-5 shots from beyond the arc.
"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 reflected after the game. His resilience and determination were evident as he pushed through his previous shooting struggles.
Decisive Moments
As the game progressed, James's performance reached a pivotal moment when he made a crucial three-pointer late in the game, tying the score and setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The Lakers ultimately secured their victory with a critical defensive stop in the closing seconds, ending a five-game losing streak.
Colin Castleton was another standout player for the Lakers, contributing significantly with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton praised James's efforts, saying, "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."
Challenges and Support
Notably absent from the game were Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, and the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht. Despite these absences, the Lakers managed to pull off a gutsy win, bolstered by the combined efforts of their players.
The team's morale was further buoyed by Dane Johnson's encouragement to James to maintain his confidence in shooting. "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 emphasized.
Jaylen Brown, who was seen on social media appearing to critique Bronny during a previous loss to the Boston Celtics, shared his perspective on the young player's journey. "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 stated.
Bronny's ability to handle external opinions was also highlighted by sports agent Rich Paul. "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."
Future Prospects
The Lakers' victory against the Hawks has injected a renewed sense of confidence as they head into their next games. With scheduled matchups against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas, the team aims to build on this momentum.
Reflecting on his journey and the unique opportunity of playing in the NBA alongside his father, Bronny shared, "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."
The Lakers' win not only ended their losing streak but also showcased the potential of their young talents, marking a positive step forward for the team's aspirations in the upcoming season.