Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James had the opportunity to make his first start of the 2024-25 season during a convincing 119-95 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. This marked only the second starting appearance of James’ career, highlighting a growing confidence in his role amid an increase in playing time compared to his rookie season.
In Saturday’s game, James played for 10 minutes, finishing with modest statistics of 0 points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal. The standout performance came from his teammate Luka Dončić, who scored an impressive 41 points, while Austin Reaves contributed 25 points to secure the Lakers’ win.
Bronny James, who was selected as a second-round pick in the 2024 draft from USC and is the son of basketball superstar LeBron James, has shown significant growth defensively this season. Despite averaging 11.9 minutes per game — nearly double his rookie season average — he has struggled with his scoring, averaging only 2 points per game on a shooting percentage of 26.9.
The context for James’ starting role was shaped by a lengthy Lakers road trip and a slew of injuries among key players. This game was the last in a challenging 10-day, five-game stretch, with frequent starters including LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent all sidelined. LeBron has been practicing with the Lakers’ G League affiliate as he continues his recovery from sciatica, prompting a unique situation where Bronny found himself starting in the NBA while his father was assigned to the G League.
Reaves reflected on this unusual role reversal after the game, remarking, “How about Bronny James starting in the NBA, and LeBron’s assigned to the G League? That’s awesome.”
The Lakers’ bench players also stepped up in Saturday’s match. Rookie forward Adou Thiero made his NBA debut, adding 4 points in 5 minutes, while Maxi Kleber logged 25 minutes in just his third appearance for the team this season.
With Saturday’s victory, the Lakers improved their record to 10-4, holding steady in fourth place in the competitive Western Conference, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Bucks, despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s solid performance of 32 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, fell to 8-6 with this defeat.
This game not only underscores the Lakers’ depth but also showcases the potential of young talents like Bronny James as they adapt to the rigors of professional basketball. The prospects for the Lakers this season continue to look promising as they work through challenges and develop their roster.