The Los Angeles Lakers finally tasted victory in their first win of the 2024 summer league, narrowly edging out the Atlanta Hawks with a nail-biting 87-86 finish. This hard-fought game marked the end of a five-game losing streak for the Lakers and served as a significant confidence boost for several young players, notably rookie guard Bronny James.
Bronny James Steps Up
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, played a pivotal role in securing this victory. Starting the game with a 17-foot pull-up jumper, Bronny set the tone early. Despite a rocky start to his summer league performance, where he averaged 4.3 points and went 0-for-15 on three-point attempts in the first four games, Bronny found his rhythm in this matchup. He finished the game with 12 points, including a critical three-pointer that tied the game in the closing moments.
When asked about his performance, Bronny credited his parents for keeping him focused and grounded. "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 explained. His determination and persistence paid off, as he made 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Team Effort and Key Contributions
Colin Castleton, Lakers center, also made a significant impact in the game with an all-around performance. Castleton contributed 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals, proving to be a steady presence on both ends of the court. "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," Castleton said about Bronny. "He's a great kid, great teammate, and we love being around him."
While Castleton and James shone brightly, it’s worth noting that Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, did not participate in the game. Meanwhile, the Hawks were missing the presence of Zacharie Risacher, their No. 1 overall pick, who also sat out this contest. These absences undoubtedly had an impact, but the Lakers made the most of the opportunity presented to them.
Clutch Moments
The game was tightly contested until the very end. Bronny’s late three-pointer was crucial, but the Lakers sealed the victory with a critical defensive stop in the final seconds. This defensive fortitude underscored the team’s resilience and determination to end their losing streak.
Beyond the game, Dane Johnson spoke about the team's shooting strategy and Bronny's role moving forward. "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," Johnson said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidence.
Looking Forward
The Lakers will seek to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next summer league games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas. Bronny is optimistic about the journey ahead, both personally and professionally. "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 shared.
In a recent social media post, Jaylen Brown was seen appearing to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown later clarified, "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 also weighed in, underscoring the importance of context in interpreting opinions. "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," Paul clarified. "I know Jaylen. I know he doesn't mean that with any malice. He was just having a conversation."
With the victory over Atlanta, the Lakers look ahead with newfound confidence, ready to face their next challenges. The support system around Bronny James, both on and off the court, will undoubtedly play a significant role in his development as a player. As the summer league progresses, all eyes will be on how this young talent continues to evolve and contribute to his team's success.