The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of the 2024 summer league in dramatic fashion, edging out the Atlanta Hawks with an 87-86 win. Rookie guard Bronny James, who had struggled in the initial games of the season, emerged as a pivotal player in this closely contested match.
James, the Lakers’ 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, made an immediate impact by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper to start the game. He concluded the match with 12 points, nine of which he scored in the first half, showcasing a renewed vigor and capability that had been missing in previous games. His performance tonight was a far cry from his earlier struggles, where he averaged just 4.3 points and failed to land any of his 15 three-point attempts.
Clutch Performance
Bronny's resilience came to the forefront in the waning moments of the game. He drilled a crucial three-pointer late in the contest to tie the score, exhibiting the kind of poise typically reserved for seasoned veterans. The rookie guard ended his night with impressive shooting stats, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Reflecting on his improved performance, James shared, "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].” Despite a rocky start in the summer league, James remained optimistic. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," he added.
Team Dynamics
Colin Castleton also played a significant role in the Lakers' victory. The center recorded a double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals, underscoring his all-around contribution. Praising James, 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."
Although Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, did not play, the game remained fiercely competitive. The Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, was also absent from the lineup. Despite these missing players, the Lakers managed to end a five-game losing streak with this narrow victory.
Defensive Heroics
The Lakers' win wasn't just a result of offensive acumen; it was also marked by a critical defensive stop in the closing seconds of the game. This defensive tenacity provided the foundation for the narrow victory.
Looking at the team's defensive performance, Assistant Coach Dane Johnson emphasized the importance of confidence and consistent 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," he said.
Off the Court
Intriguingly, a social media post recently showed Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during a Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown later remarked, "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."
Agent Rich Paul downplayed any perceived negativity from Brown’s comments. "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," Paul stated.
Bronny also reflected on the opportunity to build a stronger relationship with his father, LeBron James, as they navigate the NBA landscape together. "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 now look towards their upcoming matches in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, buoyed by a newfound sense of confidence and team cohesion.