The Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough battle on March 20, 2025, succumbing to the Milwaukee Bucks in a decisive 118-89 loss at Crypto.com Arena. Despite being shorthanded, missing key players such as LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura due to injuries, Bronny James emerged as a highlight of the night.
Bronny, making the most of his opportunity, achieved a career-high performance, finishing the game with 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds while shooting an impressive 70% from the floor. This marked his first double-digit scoring game in 22 NBA appearances. He also managed to connect on two of his four attempts from three-point range, validating the faith placed in him by Coach JJ Redick.
“I’ve gained my confidence and gained my comfortability over just reps and getting out there and taking advantage of my opportunity if it’s given,” Bronny stated following the game. His contributions were especially notable given the circumstances; the Lakers had seen their roster severely depleted with injuries across the board.
The game began with the Lakers showing some resilience, briefly tying the score before the Bucks launched a significant run, pulling away thanks to their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Lakers struggled offensively, committing 22 turnovers and shooting just 41.5% from the field.
The absence of their top four scorers was keenly felt. LeBron James missed his seventh consecutive game due to a groin strain, while Rui Hachimura (ankle) and both Dončić and Reaves (sprained ankles) were sidelined. The team’s depth was tested, leading to the promotion of younger players like Bronny into crucial roles.
In the absence of their usual offensive leaders, Bronny took the opportunity to shine. He displayed impressive skills, including a memorable long outlet pass reminiscent of his father’s legendary plays. With 30 minutes of playing time, nearly doubling his previous high, Bronny’s strong outing raised hopes for his development under the bright lights of the NBA stage.
Coach JJ Redick praised Bronny, noting, “We’ve monitored him in the G [League] and feel like in those sort of end-game situations when he’s gotten the chance to play with us, he’s been really good.” This endorsement speaks volumes about the young player’s progression and readiness to take on more significant challenges.
With the team faltering and falling to 43-26 overall, the defeat also ended the Lakers' nine-game home winning streak, a testament to how quickly fortunes can change in the competitive landscape of the NBA. Redick acknowledged the difficulty faced by the Lakers during this intense stretch of games, stating, “Big picture…feeling good that you go 3-3 in this stretch, but it was going to be tough no matter what.”
Meanwhile, the Bucks, who were missing their own star, Damian Lillard, capitalized on the Lakers’ misfortunes. Besides Antetokounmpo, Gary Trent Jr.’s impressive 23 points off the bench and Kyle Kuzma’s 20 points added to an already potent Bucks offense that effectively outmatched the Lakers’ depleted lineup.
This game served as a reminder not only of the realities of injuries in basketball but also of the potential that Bronny James holds as he continues working his way up in the NBA. “It was obvious to me from the moment I started spending time with him on the court this summer that he was certainly going to be an NBA player,” Redick reflected, solidifying Bronny’s position in the team’s future plans.
As the Lakers look ahead, hoping to recover some of their injured stars, Saturday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls will be another crucial test. Amid the challenges, Bronny James' breakout performance certainly signals a promising future, hinting at what could be many more memorable moments to come in his nascent career.
