Many NBA fans were eager to see how Bronny James would perform in his debut at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, but it was another rookie who stole the spotlight.
James scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded two steals in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 99–80 loss to the Houston Rockets. Despite a slow start, he showed flashes of potential by aggressively attacking the basket early in the game.
His eight points marked his highest scoring total in the Summer League so far, with previous games seeing him score four and three points against the Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat, respectively. In three games, James is averaging five points per game on 23% shooting from the field.
Despite his performance, James remains open to the idea of a G League assignment to gain more playing time and experience. He signed a guaranteed four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Lakers before the season.
On the other hand, rookie Reed Sheppard impressed spectators with a stellar performance for the Houston Rockets, leading the team with 23 points, along with four rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. Last year’s Summer League MVP, Cam Whitmore, also made an impact with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals for the Rockets.
Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht stood out for the Lakers, scoring a game-high 25 points with six rebounds and four assists. Lakers coach JJ Redick highlighted James’ defensive efforts in the Cali Classic game and emphasized the importance of pressuring the ball.
The Lakers will face the Boston Celtics in their next Summer League game, scheduled for Monday night at 10:30 p.m. ET.