Bronny James made his NBA preseason debut on Friday night as the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, although his father, LeBron James, was not in uniform for the game. Lakers coach JJ Redick decided to rest LeBron, allowing him to recover after an intense three days of training camp. However, LeBron is expected to play against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, which coincides with Bronny’s 20th birthday.
In the game, the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves 124-107, with Bronny contributing two points, three blocks, one rebound, and one assist. He struggled initially, missing his first five shots before finally scoring with a layup with under a minute left. Bronny showcased his defensive skills by blocking three shots during his time on the court, primarily playing in the second quarter and most of the fourth quarter.
Bronny started the second quarter alongside starting point guard D’Angelo Russell. Although he faced challenges defensively, allowing a three-pointer from the Timberwolves and having a pass intercepted, he quickly retaliated by blocking a layup attempt. After a few missed shots, he assisted Rui Hachimura, leading to a successful three-pointer during a fast break. When he returned in the fourth quarter, he missed a jumper and had another layup attempt blocked before finally scoring.
LeBron remained supportive but kept a distance, allowing Bronny to focus on his performance, although he did engage in a discussion with him during a timeout. Drafted in the second round by the Lakers, Bronny previously participated in the summer league in Las Vegas and is likely to split time this season between the Lakers and the G League’s South Bay Lakers.
Following the game, Bronny acknowledged the nerves he felt but expressed excitement about the opportunity to learn and demonstrate his skills. LeBron and Anthony Davis, who also sat out the game, chose to observe from the sidelines, with both players looking forward to returning to action later in the preseason.
The match drew a lively crowd to Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley, where fans donned Lakers jerseys, eager to see the team play. Coach Redick emphasized the Lakers’ expansive fan base and the excitement of playing in front of supportive local fans. LeBron and Davis attended the game in casual attire and shared a moment with fellow Olympic teammate Anthony Edwards from the Timberwolves before the game’s tip-off.