Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Bronny James celebrated his G League road debut by setting a new career high in points.
James led the South Bay Lakers with 30 points in a 106-100 loss to the Valley Suns on Thursday night in Tempe.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
BRONNY JAMES TONIGHT 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>30 PTS<br>13-23 FG<br>3 3PM<br>3 REB<br>2 AST<br><br>First G League road game for the South Bay Lakers <a href=”https://t.co/FxxhfpDM1a”>pic.twitter.com/FxxhfpDM1a</a>
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
BRONNY THROWS DOWN THE OOP 😤🔥<br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/nbagleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@nbagleague</a>)<a href=”https://t.co/lqTmmUrhuk”>pic.twitter.com/lqTmmUrhuk</a>
James led the team in first-half scoring with 13 points in nine minutes to help push the South Bay Lakers out to a 12-point lead at the break.
NBA G League @nbagleague
Bronny James was COOKIN’ in the first-half! 😤<br><br>13 PTS | 3 3PM | 71% <a href=”https://t.co/Zx738qsbMK”>pic.twitter.com/Zx738qsbMK</a>
James added 17 points in the final two quarters, but the South Bay Lakers were unable to hold off a late comeback by the Valley Suns.
The rookie finished out the game having gone 13-for-23 from the field. He also went 3-for-9 from behind the arc while adding three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
NBA G League @nbagleague
Bronny James with the Acrobatic Lay! 🔥<a href=”https://twitter.com/Lakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Lakers</a> draftee has a game-high 26 points for the <a href=”https://twitter.com/SouthBayLakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@SouthBayLakers</a> on ESPN+. <a href=”https://t.co/d24Nq8fRSu”>pic.twitter.com/d24Nq8fRSu</a>
South Bay Lakers @SouthBayLakers
Don’t let the man get comfortable… <a href=”https://t.co/NxyVGeYD1v”>pic.twitter.com/NxyVGeYD1v</a>
South Bay Lakers @SouthBayLakers
Have yourself a night, Bronny 🤩<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/SBLakers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#SBLakers</a> x <a href=”https://twitter.com/Lakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Lakers</a> <a href=”https://t.co/e6J3UREXLj”>pic.twitter.com/e6J3UREXLj</a>
James’ outing impressed fans excited for the No. 55 pick of the 2024 draft to take the next step in his development.
DaWriter @DaWriter
Bronny got 30 tonight and I don’t see none of those accounts talking about he don’t belong…
Ali🦇 @AliEcomAdvice
Bronny James was hated nonstop with SO MUCH PRESSURE on his back, and now look at him slowly getting in the rythm. Good game bronny🙏🏼🙏🏼
Kewun Thomas Sr. @Dat_Damn_Wun
Bron let Bronny borrow his powers while he away from the team or some ???
🥶🥷🏾🦍📀 @dkirk_8
I see Bronny getting more confident <a href=”https://t.co/rrnqPXHYP8″>https://t.co/rrnqPXHYP8</a>
Liqué™️ @datboilique
Just give him time to develop. The potential is there. <a href=”https://t.co/mQmPpWU4eI”>https://t.co/mQmPpWU4eI</a>
LakeShow Jerry @LakeShowJerry
Bronny looks like he’s getting more comfortable in the g-league. 13 points in 9 mins. Leading the team in scoring at halftime
H34Rt13zz @Garrett8489M
Bronny getting comfortable an being confident in his shot that’s a good sign 💪🏾💪🏾
James has appeared in seven NBA games while playing limited minutes for the Lakers during his rookie season, most recently recording one block in Sunday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
He has played in three G League home games. He was averaging 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game heading into Thursday.
The Lakers previously expected James would only to play home games for the South Bay Lakers, according to multiple reports, so his trip to Arizona represents a departure from their original plans.
The South Bay Lakers return to Mullett Arena on Friday night for another game against the Suns. The Lakers play a road game the same night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is not yet clear which team James will join.
Whether James’ father will be playing for the Lakers is also in question. LeBron James was sidelined for Sunday’s win over the Blazers with left foot soreness and missed practice on Wednesday for personal reasons.
