Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James, the eldest son of future Corridor of Famer LeBron James, dissatisfied 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 taking pictures (1-for-8 from 3-point vary) at Acrisure Area. Nonetheless, he did make 5-of-6 free throws to go along with 5 rebounds and two assists in almost 23 minutes of motion.
“I felt like they have 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 wished to, so a number of them have been brief, however most of them have 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 taking pictures evening: “I didn’t rush, wasn’t forcing something. I didn’t have my legs underneath me as a lot as I wished to so I left a number of them brief.” 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 comfy and assured as a participant,” Redick stated of Bronny. “Ability-wise, read-wise, all of these issues have improved, however there’s an enormous distinction between enhancing these issues in particular person exercises and small group settings, and doing it 5-on-5.
“He’s a completely completely different participant than he was a yr in the past. I believed the stuff that he did down within the G League final yr was enormous for him in growing a consolation degree in enjoying at this degree.”
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 decide Dalton Knecht completed 2-for-10 taking pictures from the sphere 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 general by the Lakers within the second spherical of the 2024 draft out of USC. It got here almost a yr after the 6-foot-2 guard suffered cardiac arrest throughout a exercise as a result 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 possibility for 2027-28.
The Lakers host the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 to open their 2025-26 season.
