Bronny James Shines with 39 Points in G League Victory

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Four days after delivering the best performance of his young NBA career, Bronny James showcased his talent in the G League, scoring a game-high 39 points to lead the South Bay Lakers to a 122-118 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors on Monday night.

James, who was on assignment from the Los Angeles Lakers, also recorded seven rebounds and four steals, further solidifying his potential as a professional player. He made 14 of 21 shots, including four of eight from beyond the arc, in a standout performance that lasted 38 minutes, although he committed seven turnovers, tying his career high.

After the game, his father, LeBron James, shared a video of Bronny on social media, emphasizing his pride: “SMILE THROUGH IT ALL YOUNG 🤴🏾!!! 🙌🏾 KEEP GOING!!”

This G League performance follows Bronny’s impressive stint with the Lakers, where he played a season-high 30 minutes, scoring 17 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 21. However, that game resulted in a disappointing 118-89 loss.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith had previously mentioned that Bronny should be in the G League, but he adjusted his remarks following the rookie’s recent NBA game, reflecting the evolution of Bronny’s play.

On Saturday prior to the South Bay game, Bronny scored just two points in a limited seven-minute appearance. His recent success in the G League might push the Lakers to consider involving him more significantly in future games, especially given the Lakers’ current slump after losing three straight.

As for the game against Santa Cruz, the Sea Dubs’ six-game win streak ended despite Blake Hinson‘s 34-point effort, leading his team in scoring. Taran Armstrong contributed 22 points, while Jackson Rowe and Donta Scott added 15 and 11 points, respectively.

The game saw a see-saw battle, with South Bay taking an early lead thanks in part to James’s scoring. However, Santa Cruz launched an 18-2 run in the first quarter to reclaim the advantage, leading 26-17 at the end of the first. South Bay responded with a 12-2 run at the start of the second quarter, which turned the tide and allowed them to lead at halftime, 51-46.

Bronny James and teammate Joirdon Nicholas surged in the final quarter, scoring 23 of the Lakers’ 35 points as South Bay maintained control over the match. Despite Santa Cruz’s attempts to close the gap late in the game, their rally fell short.

The South Bay Lakers (14-17) will face the Santa Cruz Warriors (18-13) again on Tuesday at 7 PM.