Lakers' Bronny James scores 12 as shots fall in summer league win - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — On the first play of Wednesday's game, Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Bronny James curled off a screen and sank a 17-foot pull-up jumper, drawing roars from the Lakers-friendly crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 87-86 to earn their first summer league victory in 2024, snapping an 0-5 start

That shot also offered some much-needed relief for James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft who struggled in his first four summer league games, averaging 4.3 points with a 22.6% field goal percentage, including missing all 15 of his 3-point attempts.

The struggles for the son of LeBron James came under the enormous weight of attention that his play has drawn in two games in the California Classic in San Francisco and throughout the Lakers' first three games in Las Vegas, with his every move being scrutinized and the crowd groaning every time he missed a shot or passed the ball.

But the younger James played his best game yet Wednesday, finishing with 12 points — 9 in the first half — on 5-of-11 shooting, including sinking 2 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc. James also sank a clutch 3-pointer late in the game to tie the score, and the Lakers clinched the win with a defensive stop in the final seconds.

«I feel like I know the right way to play,» James said. «So if I go out there and play my game every game, results like that will come.»

In a way, it serves as the first NBA win of any kind for the 19-year-old James.

«My mom, my dad really help me, encouraging me to stay focused and keep being myself,» James said, calling his parents his support system. «So I feel like that's a big part of how I came out [tonight].»

He also noted that his father is watching from overseas while with Team