Lakers reveal reason Bronny James was absent from G League

On By Littum

Lakers reveal reason Bronny James was absent from G League

Getty

Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was noticeably absent in the South Bay Lakers’ last two games despite the team’s announcement of his assignment to the G League on Nov. 24 for their three-game homestand.

The South Bay Lakers split the first two games — a 116-98 loss to the Stockton Kings and a 95-85 win over the San Diego Clippers — without Bronny James.

The reason was revealed when the Lakers listed Bronny James on their injury report ahead of the team’s Nov. 27 road game in San Antonio against the Spurs.

Bronny, son of Lakers star LeBron James, is nursing a heel contusion, according to the injury report shared by Jovan Buha of The Athletic on X.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Bronny James’ first two games in the G League had been disastrous. He averaged just 5.0 points on a horrible 21.1% shooting from the floor while missing all three of his 3-point attempts. He also posted 2.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists against 3.0 assists. His saving grace is his defensive stats (1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks). He also had a -4.0 net average.

Bronny James will also skip the South Bay Lakers’ game against Rip City Mix on November 27. His next chance to play is Dec. 6 when the South Bay Lakers host the Salt Lake City Stars.

Bronny James is only slated to play in the South Bay Lakers’ Home Games

Bronny James is only scheduled to play for the South Bay Lakers during their home games, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who he criticized in “The Hoop Collective” podcast.

“I don’t know whose idea it was, but of course the Lakers are fine with it,” Windhorst said. “They do. In this particular case, I think it’s gone too far, and I don’t think it’s good for Bronny. I don’t think it’s good for the South Bay Lakers, and I don’t think it’s good for LeBron at this point.”

Bronny James could benefit from more players in the G League instead of warming up the Lakers bench and waiting for appearances in blowout games.

Unlike the NBA teams, the G League teams fly commercially, which could have factored into the Lakers’ decision.

Bronny James has become an attraction since his NBA Summer League debut. The South Bay Lakers home games where Bronny James played were sold out.

Magic Johnson: Bronny James ‘Not Just Ready’ to Play in NBA

Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson made it clear that he prefers the team’s handling of Bronny James’ development.

“If I’m Bronny, I’d ask my dad to let me play in the G League all season so I can develop,” Johnson said on the Jimmy Kimmel Show in September. “He needs playing time. He doesn’t have to sit on the Lakers bench and not play. It’s not a knock on him.

“He’s just not ready. He’s got to develop more and then he’ll be ready because he’s got some great talent and skills, but he’s got to develop those skills at a much better rate if he’s going to play 15-20 minutes a night in the NBA or more.”

The 19-year-old rookie has appeared in five NBA games, including the historic moment with LeBron as the first father-son tandem to play in the same NBA game, totaling just 16 minutes.

Bronny James has only scored four points so far in his very young NBA career on a rough 1-of-6 shooting.

Age Almo is a basketball journalist who covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 15 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo