Lakers Secure First Summer League Win with Bronny James Breaking Out of Slump

The Los Angeles Lakers finally notched their first win of the NBA Summer League, edging out the Atlanta Hawks in a thrilling 87-86 victory at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game was highlighted by a breakout performance from Bronny James, who had been struggling to find his rhythm in the previous games.

Bronny James Shines

Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Lakers star LeBron James, had his best performance yet in the Summer League. In 23 minutes of action, he scored 12 points, grabbed one rebound, and recorded one steal. James shot 5-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-5 from three-point range, showing significantly improved shooting accuracy.

James had entered the contest in a slump, missing his first 15 attempts from beyond the arc this summer. However, he came out strong, making four of his first five shot attempts and sinking a clutch three-pointer to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Key Contributions from Lakers Teammates

James was one of three Lakers who finished in double figures. Colin Castleton led the team with an impressive double-double, scoring 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out six assists. Blake Hinson also contributed significantly with 14 points, including several crucial three-pointers that kept the Lakers in the game.

The Lakers trailed 72-63 entering the fourth quarter but managed to outscore the Hawks 24-14 in the final period. Castleton's three-point play with 2:21 left gave the Lakers the lead for good. The Hawks had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but the Lakers' defense held strong to secure the victory.

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Lakers improved to 1-2 in the Las Vegas Summer League. First-round pick Dalton Knecht did not play in this game, as the team decided to rest him due to the volume of practices and games he had already participated in over the past two weeks.

The Lakers will look to build on this momentum as they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday and finish their Summer League campaign against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

Bronny James' Development

Bronny James' performance was a significant step forward. He entered Wednesday's game averaging 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 29% shooting. His shooting struggles had been a focal point, but his breakout game against the Hawks could be a turning point.

Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports and the agent for both LeBron and Bronny James, defended Bronny's development process, emphasizing that he is still in the early stages of his career and that patience is key.

Final Whistle

The Lakers' first Summer League win was a team effort, but Bronny James' breakout performance was the highlight. The upcoming games will allow James and his teammates to showcase their skills and build on their recent success.

The Lakers' next game against the Cleveland Cavaliers will be another chance for Bronny James to prove himself and for the team to continue winning in the Summer League.