Bronny James Shines with 17 Points as Lakers Fall to Warriors in Preseason Finale

Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, showcased his potential in a standout performance during the Los Angeles Lakers’ final preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. In his first preseason start, the young guard scored 17 points, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts despite a disappointing 132-74 defeat.

James finished the game shooting 7-for-17 from the field, and he also added four rebounds, one assist, three steals, and a block to his stat line. The Lakers opted to rest several key players, including LeBron, ahead of the regular season, leaving first-time head coach JJ Redick to utilize reserve players and rookies. In contrast, the Warriors were missing star point guard Steph Curry but fielded a strong rotation, which proved crucial in their dominant win.

Golden State quickly established control, racing to an 18-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Warriors’ experience was evident as they continued to build on their lead, ultimately defeating their Western Conference rivals by nearly 60 points. This significant margin highlighted the challenges the Lakers faced with their depleted roster.

Prior to this game, Bronny had struggled offensively, averaging just 1.6 points per game with a shooting percentage of only 20% through his first five preseason outings. StatMuse indicated that he had recorded more turnovers than field goals during that stretch, but Friday marked a turning point.

In this pivotal matchup, Bronny demonstrated newfound confidence, making his first three-pointer of the preseason and executing a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk off a lob from fellow rookie Quincy Olivari. The 20-year-old expressed his eagerness to embrace the responsibilities that come with being a player in the league. “If I’m given the opportunity to go out there and play 35 minutes, I’m gonna go out there and play,” he said after the game. “I feel like I was given an amazing opportunity to showcase what I can do down the road… it’s just a great moment for me.”

Coach Redick echoed the sentiment of patience and development for Bronny and other young players. “For him and all our younger players, all the moments are building blocks,” he explained. “Not just the good moments; the bad moments are learning opportunities. You have to have a level of patience and a level of optimism. I am very confident in the level of work that our young guys have put in. For him, I’m sure it felt good to have 17 points – but I’m not even remotely concerned about that. We’re trying to help him grow into a great basketball player.”

Olivari led the Lakers in scoring with a game-high 22 points, while Jonathan Kuminga topped the Warriors with 17 points. The Warriors’ balanced scoring attack featured five players in double digits, including Brandin Podziemski, who added 16 points to the mix.

As the NBA regular season approaches, the anticipation builds. The season tips off on Tuesday, October 22, with the reigning champion Boston Celtics hosting the revamped New York Knicks in the opening game. The Lakers will also take the court on opening night, facing the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Warriors will kick off their season on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The first regular-season clash between the Lakers and Warriors is set to be a marquee event, as these west coast rivals will face off on Christmas Day in a highly anticipated primetime matchup. With Bronny James starting to find his footing, fans are eager to see how his development continues in the upcoming season and how the Lakers will perform as they navigate the challenges of the NBA landscape.