Bronny James made the most of his first preseason start for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, delivering a breakout performance with 17 points, four rebounds, three steals, an assist, and a block in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite the Lakers’ 132-74 blowout loss, Bronny’s display marked his best showing yet in his young NBA career.
While his shooting efficiency didn’t exactly dazzle—he missed 10 of his 17 shots and went 1-for-5 from beyond the arc—this performance represented a significant step forward.
After starting the preseason with a rough shooting stretch of 4-for-20, Bronny’s confident and aggressive play was a welcome sight for Lakers fans. His struggles appeared to fuel his desire to bounce back, and that’s exactly what he did, attacking the basket with determination.
What made Bronny’s performance even more impressive was the quality of the competition. Although Stephen Curry sat out, the Warriors played the rest of their main roster, meaning Bronny faced off against seasoned NBA players.
He was a dynamic presence on the court, making timely cuts, finishing a lob dunk in transition, and executing a smooth acrobatic scoop layup. His escape dribble attacks against closeouts were particularly effective, leading to runners and pull-up jumpers that showed a glimpse of his potential.
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Naturally, Bronny’s performance sparked widespread reaction across social media. As expected, the response was polarizing: some downplayed it as just another preseason game, while others saw it as proof that Bronny is on his way to silencing his critics. In reality, both perspectives miss the mark.
Friday’s game demonstrated that Bronny has the talent to succeed, but it’s also clear he has a long journey ahead before he can contribute meaningful minutes to the Lakers or any NBA team.
One area of concern has been the Lakers’ performance when Bronny is on the floor. Throughout the preseason, the team has been outscored by 60 points with him in the lineup.
But as Lakers head coach JJ Redick pointed out, stats won’t be the primary focus at this stage of Bronny’s development. The goal is to gain experience and build on the positive aspects of his game, like the performance he delivered on Friday.
“For him and all our younger players, they’re all building blocks,” Redick said. “Not just the good moments, but the bad moments are learning opportunities. I think you have to have a level of patience and optimism. I’m confident in the level of work that our young guys, including Bronny, have put in.”
Redick also downplayed the significance of Bronny’s scoring, emphasizing the importance of his overall growth as a player. “I’m sure it felt good for him to score 17 points, but that’s not my focus,” Redick continued. “We’re trying to help him grow into a great basketball player. He should feel good about scoring, but it’s the other areas—attention to detail, improvement on defense, decision-making—where I’ve seen the most growth. I’m encouraged by it.”
The spotlight on Bronny has been intense, as expected when you’re the son of LeBron James and wearing a Lakers jersey. Redick acknowledged the unique pressures Bronny faces, but he praised the young guard for how he’s handled it. “He’s a very grounded young man who is very coachable and has a good head on his shoulders,” Redick said. “I’ve had conversations with him about what it’s like to be him—there are amazing things, but also some hard things that come with that. He’s handled it all with a lot of class and grace. He’s a pleasure to coach.”
Bronny’s first preseason start was a promising step forward in his journey, but there is still a long road ahead. For now, it’s about gaining experience, continuing to learn, and building on performances like this one.
The Lakers see the potential in Bronny, and if he can continue developing his game with the guidance of his coaches, his time to shine on the NBA stage will come.
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