Bronny James Struggle fails as Celtics Outshine Lakers in Summer League Showdown

It was a tough outing for Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers as they faced off against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in the Summer League.

In a highly anticipated matchup at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Lakers fell to the Celtics 88-74. Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, received a warm welcome from the packed arena. However, the night didn’t go as fans had hoped, and many left before the fourth quarter began.

James struggled to find his rhythm, finishing 1-of-5 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the arc. His only basket came late in the game, much to the delight of the remaining crowd. James ended the night with two points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block in 25 minutes. Despite his offensive struggles, James showcased his defensive skills with a significant block in the first quarter.

The Lakers faced difficulties in the second half, unable to establish an offensive flow while the Celtics’ five-man out offense kept the Lakers on their toes defensively. Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ No. 17 draft pick from Tennessee, led the team with 19 points, and Max Lewis contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

The Celtics were powered by Neemias Queta, who scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and blocked three shots. JD Davison added nine points and seven assists, sealing the victory for Boston.

This game marks Bronny James’ second appearance in the Vegas Summer League. In his debut, he struggled with his shot, going 0-for-8 from three-point range, scoring eight points, and grabbing five rebounds. Reflecting on his performance, James said, “I just feel like I’m in a little slump right now. My shot wasn’t falling today but I just need to continue to get the reps in and get better.”

James remains realistic about his role, recognizing that he may never be a primary option like his father. Instead, he aims to excel in a supporting role, drawing inspiration from players like Davion Mitchell, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. “My goal isn’t really to be ‘that guy.’ There’s a lot of guys in the NBA that have that role already,” James remarked at the NBA Draft Combine.

Selected as the No. 55 pick in the draft, Bronny James is expected to spend time in the G League to hone his skills before making a significant impact with the Lakers. Despite his inconsistent shooting, he has shown promise as a versatile defender capable of guarding the perimeter and blocking shots.

While the Summer League results are not decisive for the future, this serves as a critical learning experience for James. He is determined to improve before the start of his rookie season. The Lakers, confident in their draft choice, are eager to see Bronny develop, and fans can look forward to seeing the James duo on the court together this season at Crypto.com Arena.