Bronny James’ breakout G-League performance has captured attention. It also earned high praise from his father, LeBron James, adding pressure on Lakers coach J.J. Redick to give the rookie more NBA opportunities.
As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to battle inconsistency, Bronny delivered the best game of his young career Monday night with the South Bay Lakers.
He exploded for 39 points in a 122-118 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, shooting 14-of-21 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point range. He also added seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals in a dominant all-around effort.
The South Bay Lakers celebrated the performance with a post reading, “Smiling his way to a new CAREER-HIGH.” But it was LeBron’s message that stood out: “SMILE THROUGH IT ALL YOUNG!!! KEEP GOING!!”—a proud and passionate show of support.
Bronny’s Momentum and Redick’s Decision
This breakout performance comes just days after Bronny’s best NBA outing—a 17-point game against the Milwaukee Bucks. That back-to-back success is fueling calls for more playing time on the Lakers’ main roster.
Since being drafted 55th overall in 2024, Bronny has split time between the Lakers and their G-League affiliate. While his NBA minutes have been limited, he’s been a force in the G-League, averaging 20.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
Head coach J.J. Redick has acknowledged Bronny’s growing confidence, and with LeBron publicly backing his son, pressure is mounting for Redick to give the young guard a bigger opportunity.
From Setback to Rising Star
Just a year ago, Bronny was sidelined by a heart condition that ended his college season early. Now, he’s proving he belongs—thanks to his athleticism, sharp instincts, and steady shooting.
At 6’2″, he may be slightly undersized, but he’s using his tools effectively on both ends of the court. And with LeBron in his corner, Bronny’s path to a regular NBA role is becoming harder to ignore.
