Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James, the eldest son of future Corridor of Famer LeBron James, disenchanted followers in Friday’s 103-81 preseason-opener loss to the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert.
Bronny James Held To Underneath 10 Factors
Bronny James was held to only eight factors on solely 1-of-12 capturing (1-for-8 from 3-point vary) at Acrisure Enviornment. Nonetheless, he did make 5-of-6 free throws to go together with 5 rebounds and two assists in almost 23 minutes of motion.
“I felt like they had been fairly good photographs,” stated James, who turns 21 on Monday. “Not rushed, not forcing something. Didn’t have my legs underneath me as a lot as I needed to, so numerous them had been quick, however most of them had been on line. I felt like I may have made these. I felt like I took some good photographs.”
Though James appeared in 27 video games for the Lakers throughout his rookie season, a lot of his progress got here whereas he was with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, averaging 21.9 factors and 5.5 assists.
Bronny James on his 1-for-12 capturing evening: “I didn’t rush, wasn’t forcing something. I didn’t have my legs underneath me as a lot as I needed to so I left numerous them quick.” pic.twitter.com/yfU03lkZYq
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 4, 2025
Regardless of his struggles within the preseason opener, James has demonstrated progress to Lakers coach JJ Redick.
“He’s a lot extra snug and assured as a participant,” Redick stated of Bronny. “Ability-wise, read-wise, all of these issues have improved, however there’s a giant distinction between enhancing these issues in particular person exercises and small group settings, and doing it 5-on-5.
“He’s a very completely different participant than he was a 12 months in the past. I assumed the stuff that he did down within the G League final 12 months was enormous for him in creating a consolation stage in enjoying at this stage.”
Lakers Performed With out Luka Doncic, LeBron James
In Friday’s loss, the Lakers additionally performed with out Luka Doncic (relaxation), LeBron James (nerve irritation in his glute), Marcus Good (left Achilles tendinopathy), Maxi Kleber (quad), and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee swelling).
Fellow 2024 draft choose Dalton Knecht completed 2-for-10 capturing from the sector and 1-of-7 from deep.
As well as, newly acquired middle Deandre Ayton made his Lakers debut, lacking each of his photographs, committing 4 turnovers, grabbing eight rebounds, and scoring only one level off a free throw in 18 minutes.
Bronny James was chosen fifty fifth total by the Lakers within the second spherical of the 2024 draft out of USC. It got here almost a 12 months after the 6-foot-2 guard suffered cardiac arrest throughout a exercise on account of a congenital coronary heart defect.
Within the Lakers’ 2024-25 season opener towards the Minnesota Timberwolves, he and LeBron grew to become the primary father-son duo to play in an NBA recreation collectively.
Per Spotrac, Bronny is slated to make $1.955 million in 2025-26 and $2.29 million in 2026-27. His deal additionally features a $2.48 million membership choice for 2027-28.
The Lakers host the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 to open their 2025-26 season.
