The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of 2024 in a thrilling summer league game, edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. The win marked the end of a five-game losing streak, providing a much-needed morale boost for the team and its fans.
Bronny James Shines in Crucial Moments
Rookie guard Bronny James played a pivotal role in the Lakers' victory. The 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft had a standout performance, starting the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper. Despite struggling in the first four summer league games where he averaged 4.3 points and failed to make any of his 15 three-point attempts, Bronny turned things around spectacularly.
James finished the game with 12 points, nine of which were scored in the first half. He made 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. One of his three-pointers came at a critical juncture late in the game, tying the score and giving the Lakers the momentum they needed.
“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],” Bronny shared post-game. Despite his early season shooting woes, he remained undeterred. “Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive,” he added, highlighting his resilient mindset.
Team Effort Seals the Victory
The Lakers’ success wasn't solely due to Bronny's performance. Center Colin Castleton also had a remarkable game, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. His all-around performance was vital in both offense and defense.
“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. He's a great kid, great teammate, and we love being around him. Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm,” Castleton remarked, praising Bronny's development and character.
The game’s final moments were marked by high tension and decisive plays. The Lakers managed to lock down the Hawks with a crucial defensive stop in the closing seconds, securing their slender one-point victory. Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, and Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, did not play in the game, making the Lakers' win even more impressive.
Support from the Stars
The presence and commentary of NBA star Jaylen Brown added another layer of intrigue to the game. Brown, previously seen critiquing Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics, shared his support following the Lakers’ latest win. “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,” Brown said, underscoring the bright future many see for Bronny.
Rich Paul, a prominent figure in sports management, also weighed in on Brown’s comments about Bronny. “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 are a lot of 'experts' with no expertise; he's actually an expert with expertise. So, if he has that opinion, he can have that opinion. I know Jaylen. I know he doesn't mean that with any malice. He was just having a conversation,” Paul said, defending the constructive criticism from the Celtics star.
Lakers assistant coach Dane Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence in shooting, even when shots aren't falling. “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. Open catch-and-shoot threes are what we're looking for. Even if you're not making them, believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself,” Johnson noted, reflecting the team's positive reinforcement approach.
Looking Forward
As the Lakers prepare for their next matchups in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the team and its supporters will be hoping to build on this hard-fought victory. The game against the Hawks not only ended a losing streak but also provided a glimpse of the potential within the squad, particularly from young talents like Bronny James.
Bronny expressed his excitement about the future, especially with the unique opportunity to play alongside his father, 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 said, looking forward to further developing his game and contributing to the team's success.
With a mix of youthful exuberance and experienced mentorship, the Lakers are poised for an intriguing summer league campaign.