The NBA Summer League kicks off with a bang on Saturday when the Lakers’ rookie duo of Dalton Knecht and Bronny James take the court against the Kings to begin the California Classic portion of their summer schedule.
Knecht and James are the faces of the Lakers’ Summer League roster, but like almost every player on the court this summer, the next few weeks will be about earning a role in the regular season.
Knecht’s path is pretty clear, given that he was selected in the first round and showed an advanced offensive game in Tennessee. James is the attraction, but his immediate NBA future is less certain. With a stint in the G League reportedly coming after he gets a chance to play alongside his father in October, games like these will be pivotal in determining how soon (or if at all) James gets an extended look at the NBA level.
James’ first opportunity comes Saturday against a Kings team that will send two rosters to Summer League. Sacramento will not have rookie Devin Carter available, and the team James faces Saturday doesn’t have much more than a few developmental pieces with little to no NBA experience.
A strong showing on Saturday could draw even more attention to James when the Lakers face the Warriors on Sunday.
Here’s a complete look at James’ stats from his Summer League debut, as well as his highlights.
Bronny James Stats From His Summer League Debut
Here are James’ stats at halftime of his NBA Summer League debut against the Kings:
- Minutes: 22
- Points: 4
- Rebounds: 2
- Aid: 2
- Robberies: 1
- Blocks: 0
- Cough: 0
- Faults: 0
- FG: 2-9
- 3P: 0-3
James finished with four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in nearly 22 minutes, shooting 2 of 9 from the field in the Lakers’ 108-94 loss.
Both James and Knecht struggled on offense for much of the day, though Knecht found some momentum in the final minutes. James was minus-15 in the loss, tied with Knecht for the worst on the Lakers, though he showed some of that all-around ability with the rebound-assist pair as other players struggled around him as well.
WATCH LIVE: Bronny James’ Summer League debut against the Kings
Bronny James highlights from his Summer League debut
Here’s James’ first career Summer League goal.
Bronny’s first cube. ??
— Center of the hoop (@TheHoopCentral) July 6, 2024
James also came up with a steal to briefly shift the momentum in the Lakers’ favor.
Bronny James’ steal leads to Kyle Mangas’ layup!
Watch the California Classic on ESPN! image.twitter.com/PEkgw8XYw0
— NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2024
James’ second bucket of the day was clean.
Bronny James Finds Separation for the J! Midrange
? Lakers-Kings
☀️ California Classic on ESPN photo.twitter.com/q0ZmUQcXlp— NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2024
