July 18 (UPI) — Bronny James overcame a rusty start to his NBA career, shooting 5 of 11 for 12 points in his best game of the summer league and helping the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks in Las Vegas.
“I was I’m just trying to forget “About all the shots I missed, forget all the games we lost, just go out and play my game and try to do the best I can,” James said on the ESPN broadcast after Wednesday’s 87-86 victory from the Thomas & Mack Center.
James shot just 7 of 31 (22.5 percent), including 0 of 15 from 3-point range, in his first four Summer League appearances. The 2024 second-round pick averaged 4.2 points per game during that span.
James made both of his first-quarter field goal attempts. He missed his 16th straight three-pointer in the second quarter before making his first shot from downtown 2:47 before halftime.
James had five points in the second quarter. The 19-year-old point guard was held scoreless in the third quarter, but hit another three-pointer in the fourth to finish with a dozen points.
“No changes really, just trying to stay confident,” James told reporters when asked about his rebounding performance. “I just go out there and play my game.
“I feel like I know how to play the game the right way, so if I play my game the right way, I’ll get results like that.”
Including his performance Wednesday, James shot 28.5 percent (12 of 42), including 10 percent (2 of 20) from three-point range. He averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game in his first five appearances.
Bronny said his father, Lakers star LeBron James, and his mother helped him stay focused despite his early struggles.
“I’m taking things day by day, trying to stay sane and turning to the support system to help me,” James said.
Lakers center Colin Castleton had 17 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in Wednesday’s win. Forward Blake Hinson scored 14 points off the Lakers bench.
Center Rob Baker II and guard Jarkel Joiner each scored 17 points for the Hawks.
LeBron James is currently with Team USA in preparation for the 2024 Summer Games. He scored 11 points in a 105-79 win over Serbia on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry led the Americans with 24 points.
The U.S. team will face South Sudan on Saturday and Germany on Monday. Both games will be in London. The men’s Olympic basketball tournament runs from July 27 to Aug. 10.
The Lakers will continue the NBA 2K5 Summer League against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday in Las Vegas. The game will start at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Lakers will begin preseason in October, and Bronny James could play with his father for the first time in an NBA uniform. LeBron James played three games with the Lakers last preseason.
