The Los Angeles Lakers' summer league campaign saw a significant breakthrough as they clinched their first victory of 2024 by edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. The game was a showcase of youthful talent, with rookie guard Bronny James making a critical impact. Drafted 55th overall in 2024, James demonstrated glimpses of his potential, which had been under scrutiny in the initial games of the season.
James began the game confidently, sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper that set the tone for his performance. Despite averaging 4.3 points and struggling from beyond the arc in the first four games, where he missed all of his 15 attempts, James managed to turn the tide. He finished the game with 12 points, notching nine in the first half, and made significant improvements in his shooting. James converted 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 three-pointers, and his late-game three-pointer proved pivotal in tying the score.
In a post-game interview, James attributed part of his success to his family. "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]," he shared. As he continues to adjust to the pace and rigor of professional basketball, James emphasized the importance of maintaining an aggressive approach: "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Lakers center Colin Castleton also played a notable role in the victory. Castleton's all-around performance included 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He offered high praise for his rookie teammate, stating, "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."
Despite the significant contributions from their newcomers, the Lakers' win was also aided by a strong defensive effort in the closing moments of the game. The team's ability to secure a critical stop in the dying seconds ensured their narrow victory over the Hawks. This win also marked the end of a five-game losing streak, a much-needed morale booster for the team.
One notable absence from the game was Zacharie Risacher, the Hawks' No. 1 overall pick, whose participation was highly anticipated. Similarly, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, did not play. The absence of these key players added an extra layer of intrigue to the contest, focusing attention on the performances of other emerging talents.
Off the court, a social media post indicated a moment of critique from Jaylen Brown towards Bronny James during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. The incident sparked discussions among fans and analysts. Brown later commented on the situation, highlighting the privilege and significance of playing alongside one's son in the NBA. "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, Bronny's agent, defended Brown's right to voice his opinion, underscoring his expertise: "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' coaching staff remains supportive of Bronny's shot selection and confidence. Assistant coach Dane Johnson remarked, "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."
The Lakers are scheduled to continue their summer league journey with upcoming games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see if Bronny James and his teammates can build on their recent success and foster a positive momentum heading into the regular season.