Bronny James shows promise late in Lakers' loss to Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers saw their six-game winning streak come to an unexpected halt on Wednesday night, falling 131-119 to the struggling Utah Jazz. 

While much of the focus was on Luka Doncic’s second game in the Purple and Gold — where he posted 16 points, four rebounds and four assists — another storyline quietly emerged in the form of rookie guard Bronny James.

James, who has spent most of his time developing with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, made a rare appearance late in the game and delivered his most productive NBA outing to date. 

In just eight minutes of play, the 20-year-old scored nine points on 3-of-4 shooting, including two three-pointers. He also added a free throw and an assist, showing off his developing skill set and ability to contribute efficiently.

 



 
Operating as the primary ball-handler in his brief stint, James impressed with a smooth floater in the lane, a corner three and a well-executed stepback jumper from beyond the arc as the clock ticked under 20 seconds. It was a promising display of his offensive potential, especially in a game that slipped away from the Lakers in the second half.

While James’ performance won’t be the headline of the night, it marked a career-high scoring performance at the NBA level. It also extended his streak to four consecutive games with points, a small but notable achievement for a rookie who has faced his fair share of scrutiny. However, his most significant development has been taking place in the G League, where he has been consistently improving.

After a shaky start in the G League Tip-Off Tournament, the 6-foot-3 guard has found his rhythm in the regular season with South Bay. He is averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals while shooting 39 percent from three-point range. His scoring places him among the G League’s top 10, and his steals per game rank in the top five.

James’ impact has been particularly felt on the defensive end, and he had a standout performance on Jan. 24 when he scored a career-high 31 points in a win over the Rip City Remix. He also recorded three steals that night and has accumulated 11 steals over five regular-season games.

Skepticism surrounded James when he was selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, but his steady improvement suggests he is trending in the right direction. As the season progresses, so does his development — both in the G League and, occasionally, under the bright lights of the NBA.