Bronny James Scores Zero in Start, But Lakers’ Stunning Dominance Over Bucks Raises Eyebrows

Sometimes in the NBA, necessity breeds curiosity—and Saturday’s Lakers game was a textbook example. With the usual suspects like LeBron James sidelined, the spotlight oddly shifted, if only nominally, onto LeBron James Jr., aka Bronny James. He slid into the starting lineup alongside stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, marking just his second career start and first this season. But let’s not kid ourselves — despite the starter tag, Bronny’s minutes were limited, almost as if the Lakers were dipping their toes rather than diving in. The young guard’s stat line? Modest at best: no points, a single rebound, assist, and a steal in just 10 minutes. Still, it was a meaningful step, considering his previous start came in a game where the stakes were essentially non-existent. This time around, it was a genuine test, even if the scoreboard didn’t favor the Lakers. Injuries and absences pushed Bronny up the pecking order, but the journey from benchwarmer to bona fide starter is a rugged climb. Curious to see how this chapter unfolds? LEARN MORE

With LeBron James and other players still out, the Los Angeles Lakers opted to start LeBron James Jr. (in name only).

Bronny James was in the starting lineup for L.A.’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, joining Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. It was the second start of the younger James’ NBA career and his first of the season.

He wasn’t exactly treated like a starter, though. He played only 10 minutes, less than three players who came off the bench, and finished with 0 points on 0-of-2 shooting with 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal.

The Lakers didn’t much from him, though, as Doncic posted 41 points in a 119-95 win.

James’ only other career start was in the Lakers’ regular-season finale last season, a game in which they had nothing to play for with the No. 3 seed in the West already sewn up. In his 38 minutes, James posted 4 points on 2-of-10 shooting, 6 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds and 3 turnovers in a 109-81 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

So this was basically the first time James has started a game that matters for the Lakers. Entering Saturday, he had come off the bench eight times and posted 2.3 points and 1.9 assists in 12.1 minutes per game. He was shooting 29.2% from the field and 25% from 3-point range.

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It’s not often you see players with those stats elevated to the starting lineup, but the Lakers are down James’ father as well as Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura, all of whom have started games this season.

Smart and Hachimura both started the Lakers’ previous game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, but were out for the second leg of a back-to-back with an illness and calf injury, respectively.