Bronny James returned to action with the G League’s South Bay Lakers, as the Los Angeles Lakers kicked off a six-game road trip against the Golden State Warriors. Putting on a show for the home crowd, James delivered an impressive performance on Friday night.
In a pivotal moment late in the third quarter of South Bay’s matchup against the Rip City Remix, James showcased his skills by driving to the hoop for a powerful dunk over Sterling Manley after maneuvering around a screen set by Christian Koloko. This electrifying play tied the game at 80–80, prompting James to celebrate with his teammates as Rip City called a timeout. Fueled by the momentum from the poster dunk, South Bay closed out the third quarter with a 9–4 run and maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter, securing a 122–110 victory.
James finished with a career-high 31 points, including 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, leading South Bay to their second win of the season. Despite their 2–7 record, the G League Lakers are making strides in the Western Conference standings. James’ return to the team marked his first game since December 21.
Quincy Olivari contributed 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Koloko chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sir’Jabari Rice, Trey Jemison III, and Jordan Goodwin each added 14 points to bolster South Bay’s offensive effort.
On the opposing side, Alex Reese led the Rip City Remix with 32 points and seven rebounds, followed by Manley’s 15 points. Henri Drell, Cameron Tyson, and Tyrell Roberts each contributed 14 points as the Remix improved to a 4–5 record.
As the NBA Lakers hit the road, James is expected to rejoin the team no earlier than February 4 when they face off against the Los Angeles Clippers. The young star’s standout performance and leadership on the court continue to impress fans and teammates alike.