The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of the 2024 summer league, narrowly edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86 in a thriller. The Lakers' success came through a combination of crucial defensive stops and a standout performance from rookie guard Bronny James, who played a pivotal role in the closely contested game.
Bronny James Shines
Selected as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bronny James had struggled to find his rhythm in the initial games, averaging just 4.3 points and going 0-for-15 from beyond the arc in the first four summer league matchups. With his parents' encouragement, James stayed focused and delivered a commendable performance against Atlanta, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from three-point range.
"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]," James shared after the game. His unwavering persistence paid off, as he started the game strong with a 17-foot pull-up jumper and contributed nine points in the first half alone.
James’ most critical moment came late in the game when he sank a clutch three-pointer to tie the score. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," James reiterated, emphasizing his positive mindset.
Team Effort and Strategic Plays
The Lakers’ success was not solely attributed to James. Center Colin Castleton posted impressive numbers, scoring 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, delivering six assists, and securing two steals. Castleton's performance on both ends of the court was instrumental in breaking the Lakers’ five-game losing streak.
"I think he's stepping into a good role. It takes a little bit of time," Castleton said about James. "He has a lot of pressure, a lot of things on him... Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm."
Despite the absence of both teams' first-round picks—Zacharie Risacher for the Hawks and Dalton Knecht for the Lakers—the game maintained its intensity. The Lakers' defensive resilience shone in the final moments, securing a critical stop to seal the win.
Outside Perspectives and Looking Forward
Off the court, there were mixed reactions to James’ performances. A social media post showed Jaylen Brown apparently offering criticism during a Lakers loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown later expressed support, saying, "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, a close family friend, defended Brown's comments, stating, "You can't take everybody's opinion and try to turn it against him or think that he's a bad person... If he has that opinion, he can have that opinion. I know Jaylen. I know he doesn't mean that with any malice."
The coaching staff remains confident in James’ abilities and potential for growth. 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."
As the Lakers prepare for their upcoming games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the focus remains on building team chemistry and improving individual performances. James is particularly excited about developing his relationship with his father, Lakers superstar LeBron James. "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 remarked.
The Lakers look to carry forward the momentum from their first win, hoping for continued strong performances from their younger players, especially Bronny James, who is eager to make a significant impact in his debut summer league season.