Lakers Secure First Summer League Win in Nail-Biter Against Hawks
The Los Angeles Lakers clinched their first victory of 2024 in a thrilling summer league game, edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. Rookie guard Bronny James was pivotal in this closely contested match, showcasing his emerging talent that led to his selection as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft.
James' contribution began early, with a confident pull-up jumper from 17 feet setting the tone at the start of the game. Despite a shaky start to his summer league performance, averaging 4.3 points and missing all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four games, Bronny turned a new leaf in this encounter. He finished the game with a notable 12 points, nine of which came in the first half, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
"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 reflected after the game. His mental fortitude was tested but remained intact as he explained his approach, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Crucial moments came late in the game when Bronny sank a decisive three-pointer to tie the score, demonstrating his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. It was this shot that rejuvenated the Lakers' momentum, leading to a critical defensive stop in the final seconds to secure their victory. Lakers center Colin Castleton also had a standout performance, racking up 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Castleton was quick to praise his rookie teammate, 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."
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher of the Hawks, was notably absent from the game. The Lakers also missed their first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, further emphasizing the importance of this win as it ended their five-game losing streak.
The atmosphere surrounding Bronny has been intense, with social media capturing Jaylen Brown appearing to critique him during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown later expressed support for the young player. "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 shared.
Rich Paul, LeBron James' agent, and a significant figure in Bronny’s life, defended Brown’s comments, highlighting that such critiques should be seen constructively. "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," Paul said.
Lakers Assistant Coach Dane Johnson reinforced the team’s strategy and faith in their young guard. "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 remarked.
Bronny himself is optimistic about the future, especially the 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 expressed.
The Lakers are set to continue their summer league campaign with two more scheduled games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. As Bronny James continues to find his footing, the Lakers and their fans remain hopeful that this victory is a sign of more to come.