Bronny James Puts Up Impressive Numbers in First G League Road Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Dec 13, 2024 10:57 AM ET

Bronny James silenced critics Thursday night, exploding for 30 points in his G League road debut with South Bay. The rookie guard, who's struggled to find consistent minutes with the Lakers, showcased his full offensive arsenal - from pull-up threes to a thunderous alley-oop finish - in the 106-100 loss to the Valley Suns.

Thursday’s performance dramatically lifted his G League averages to 14 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, offering a glimpse of his potential when given extended playing time. For a player whose USC career was limited by health concerns, this marks a significant breakthrough.

After being selected 55th overall by the Lakers, Bronny's NBA minutes have been sparse. While he made history alongside father LeBron as the first father-son duo to share an NBA court, and notched his first points against Cleveland, his role has largely been limited to garbage time.

"That's going to be fluid," South Bay Lakers president Joey Buss told ESPN regarding Bronny's G League schedule. "We're going to do what's best for his development... There's a lot of variables. So nothing unique for Bronny. He's just kind of in that system."

This represents a clear shift from early-season reports that restricted Bronny to home games at the Lakers' practice facility. While the organization hasn't detailed future road plans, Thursday's explosion could force them to reconsider their approach.

30 points doesn't just happen by accident. For a young player working back from a heel injury and searching for his professional footing, this kind of performance could mark a turning point in his development path.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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