Bronny James erupted for a career-high 17 points against the Bucks on Thursday night, showing flashes of brilliance even as the shorthanded Lakers fell to Milwaukee.
With the Lakers missing all their regular starters, the rookie guard stepped into a leading role and made the most of his opportunity.
LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves all watched from the sidelines as the depleted Lakers squad struggled against a powerful Bucks team.
Despite the blowout loss, Bronny’s performance stood out as the clear bright spot at Crypto.com Arena.
The 20-year-old looked confident and in control throughout his 30 minutes on the floor.
He shot an impressive 7-for-10 from the field, including knocking down 2 of 4 attempts from three-point range.
Before Thursday, Bronny had never scored more than nine points in an NBA game.
"Gaining my confidence and gain my comfortability over reps, you know, and getting out there and taking advantage of my opportunity if it’s given," James told reporters after the game. "So just being ready at all times is the biggest thing for me."
His growth couldn’t come at a better time, with the playoffs looming just over a month away.
Every minute on the court now gives the coaching staff more data on how Bronny might contribute when games matter most.
WATCH: Bronny James stars for Lakers with career-high 17 points
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With only 13 games left in the regular season and the Lakers’ stars expected back soon, Bronny likely won’t get another starting opportunity this year.
LeBron is expected to return within the next two games, while both Doncic and Reaves were simply resting against Milwaukee after carrying a heavier load during the elder James’ absence.
Still, Bronny’s breakout performance suggests the Lakers might have another James who can make an impact when called upon.
