Lakers Edge Hawks, Bronny James Shines in First Summer League Win
The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of 2024 in the summer league by narrowly defeating the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. The Lakers ended a dispiriting five-game losing streak, with rookie guard Bronny James playing a pivotal role in the win.
Selected as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, James had a standout performance, particularly when it mattered most. This marked a significant improvement from his earlier games, where he struggled, averaging only 4.3 points and failing to connect on any of his 15 three-point attempts across the first four contests.
James set the tone from the outset, initiating the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper. The young guard showcased his scoring ability by finishing the game with 12 points, nine of which came in the first half. Bronny's efficient shooting saw him make 5 of his 11 field goal attempts, including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc. A crucial three-pointer late in the game by James tied the score, setting up a tense finale.
"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]," said James after the game. He added, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn’t been falling, just staying aggressive."
Colin Castleton, the formidable Lakers center, delivered an all-around performance that supported their quest for victory. He scored 17 points, grabbed an impressive 12 rebounds, dished out six assists, and made two steals, epitomizing the epitome of a versatile and reliable player. Castleton praised Bronny James, stating, "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."
The absence of pivotal players added a unique dynamic to the game. Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, and the Lakers’ own first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, were both sidelined. Despite these absences, the game remained fiercely competitive, culminating in a critical defensive stop by the Lakers in the closing seconds to secure the win.
The game also provided fodder for social media buzz. A post recently captured Boston Celtics' star Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny James during the Lakers' loss to the Celtics. When asked about Brown's comments, Rich Paul, a known figure in the basketball world, provided a thoughtful perspective. "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’s 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."
Amid these discussions and performances, Bronny James remains focused. Reflecting on his journey so far, he noted the importance of family support and a positive mindset. "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."
As the Lakers look forward to their next games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the team’s immediate goal is clear: to build on this hard-fought victory and continue to showcase the talents of their emerging stars, especially the promising Bronny James. Dane Johnson, one of the Lakers' coaching staff, reiterated this faith: "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."