The Los Angeles Lakers are pushing hard to secure a playoff spot, and their recent victory over the San Antonio Spurs brought them one step closer to that goal. With LeBron James sidelined due to injury, his son, Bronny James, stepped up, showing that he’s beginning to find his rhythm in the league.
Despite playing just three minutes against the Spurs, Bronny appeared more comfortable on the court, steadily increasing his minutes in his rookie season. Across 20 games, he’s demonstrated that he’s ready for the challenges ahead, highlighted by an impressive performance against the Denver Nuggets last week.
Scoring his fifth three-pointer of the season, Bronny is proving he’s prepared for the pressure of his first playoff run. With 33 total points, some of his buckets, including a key two-pointer in his hometown of Cleveland, were met with cheers from fans.
However, his fifth three-pointer didn’t elicit much of a reaction from his father, LeBron, despite the cheers from teammates and fans. This unusual response sparked discussion on social media, as many noticed LeBron’s serious demeanor after his son’s highlight shot.
Bronny’s stats in the last five games
LeBron’s son is playing with newfound confidence in his first regular season, delivering impressive performances in recent games. That confidence has been bolstered by head coach JJ Redick, who has noticed a different attitude in Bronny as he adapts to the NBA.
In his last five matchups, Bronny played 37 minutes on the floor, including a surprising 16 minutes against the Denver Nuggets. In that game, he displayed remarkable poise, knocking down a three-pointer with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic defending him.
Over that stretch, Bronny has totaled 22 points, two steals, three rebounds, and two assists. His development is aligning with the high expectations his father set before the Lakers selected him in the draft. This bodes well for the Lakers, who will need his continued growth as they look to perform at their best in the playoffs.
LeBron’s expected return to the Lakers
Despite the absence of LeBron James, the Lakers have been playing well. Of course, having LeBron back in the lineup will only make them stronger, given his outstanding numbers. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, LeBron is expected to return for the Lakers’ upcoming game against the Orlando Magic, just one week after his injury.
LeBron will miss the Lakers’ matchups against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, and the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. This stretch could provide the perfect opportunity for Bronny to further showcase his skills.