Bronny James Leads Lakers but Falls to Clippers in Summer League

LAS VEGAS, NV – Bronny James scored a team-high 17 points on Monday, July 14, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from a 67-58 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center.

This game marked only the third time during the NBA Summer League that James reached double-digit points. Earlier in the tournament, he scored 10 points against the Miami Heat on July 6, and again on July 12. In contrast, he struggled to score just two points against the Dallas Mavericks on July 8.

The defeat dropped the Lakers’ Summer League record to 1-2 while the Clippers improved to 3-0, led by 2023 second-round pick, who scored a game-high 19 points.

James took a starting role in this second-to-last Summer League game, looking to improve from his rookie season, which was overshadowed by off-court drama. Despite the pressure, he averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and an assist over the past four games leading up to Monday.

As the game progressed, James displayed his offensive skills, hitting 6-of-10 shots, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. He also contributed five rebounds and five assists while committing only two turnovers, showcasing his growth in court awareness.

James began the game aggressively, even draining his first three-pointer shortly after tip-off, setting the tone for a strong first half where he finished a perfect 4-4 in shooting. He added another three-pointer and a clever shot in the lane before halftime.

After sinking a clutch basket over 6’9” Patrick Baldwin Jr., James’s performance was acknowledged by fans on social media as a sign of his potential.

Looking ahead, the Lakers are scheduled to continue their Summer League campaign against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, July 17, at 9 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.