Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) prepares for the start of the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Lakers Make Unfortunate Bronny James Decision vs Nuggets

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 4:22 AM ET

While the NBA Summer League isn't always indicative of how great a player is going to become in the future, Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James has been a major focal point of conversation throughout it.

On Thursday night against the Boston Celtics, Bronny put up 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, but 8 turnovers. Throughout Summer League, Bronny is averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.0 turnovers on 47.6% shooting from the field.

Bronny James caught FIRE for the @lakers! ☀️

He scored all 18 of his points in the second half vs. the Celtics. This was his highest scoring game in Vegas. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/8PeBzBleYd
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 18, 2025

While fans may have expected Bronny to play against the Denver Nuggets in the final Summer League game of the season, that unfortunately didn't happen. The Los Angeles Lakers made the decision to rule Bronny out against the Nuggets.

Bronny James is OUT for the Lakers Summer League finale tonight be. The Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/2rXYhJTBt7
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 19, 2025

On Friday night, the Denver Nuggets absolutely decimated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-84 in the final game of Summer League for LA. Nuggets guard Curtis Jones led the way with 22 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals on 56% shooting from the field.

From one end to the other

Curtis Jones has 17 points pic.twitter.com/ea6IvBcOLD
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 19, 2025

After losing to the Nuggets on Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers finished with an overall record of 1-4. In all likelihood, very few members of the Lakers' Summer League roster will play in the regular season besides Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

Closing Summer League out with a W ✌️ pic.twitter.com/6KYu5zgv8Z
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 19, 2025

It remains to be seen whether or not Bronny James remains a member of the Lakers if LeBron James ends up leaving the team, but for now, the two are Los Angeles residents.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: