LAS VEGAS – The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a five-game losing streak with a thrilling 87-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in a 2024 summer league game. The win was marked by a standout performance from rookie guard Bronny James, who played a crucial role in securing the Lakers' first victory of the year.
Bronny’s Breakout Performance
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, made a significant impact from the opening minutes, starting the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper. The rookie had struggled in his first four summer league games, averaging 4.3 points and missing all 15 of his three-point attempts. However, this game saw a rejuvenated Bronny, who finished the night with 12 points, including going 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 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 said, reflecting on his performance. He also added, “Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive.”
His aggressive approach paid off, particularly late in the game. Bronny sank a critical three-pointer to tie the score, setting the stage for the Lakers to clinch the win with a key defensive stop in the closing seconds.
Key Contributions from Castleton
Center Colin Castleton also delivered a remarkable performance, tallying a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Castleton showcased his versatility with six assists and two steals, contributing significantly on both ends of the court. Speaking highly of Bronny, Castleton 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.”
Absent Stars
The game also had notable absences. Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, did not play, and the Lakers’ first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, was also sidelined. Nonetheless, the players on the court made sure the absence of these stars didn’t dampen the competitive spirit of the game.
Response to Criticism
Bronny's journey hasn't been without its critics. A social media post recently showed Jaylen Brown seemingly critiquing Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown later clarified his stance, saying, "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 close confidant and advisor, defended Brown’s comments, noting, "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 have two more remaining summer league games in Las Vegas, where they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. Dane Johnson, one of the team's coaches, emphasized the importance of persistence and confidence in the team's shooting, noting, "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."
For Bronny, playing alongside his father and working with the team has strengthened existing bonds. "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," he commented.
With this victory, the Lakers have showcased their resilience and potential, setting the stage for what could be an exciting remainder of the summer league and beyond.