Bronny James has made his Los Angeles Laker pre-season debut.
During the 124-107 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the rookie had some rough stretches but showed some promising efforts.
No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham finds a rhythm in his first #NBAPreseason game to lead the @Timberwolves to the win!
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2024
Josh Minnot: 22 PTS, 8 REB, 4 3PM
Luka Garza: 20 PTS, 9 REB
Austin Reaves: 16 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB, 3 STL pic.twitter.com/scI8vVZXtx
Majority of the both teams' superstars sat out the game including LeBron, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and the newest Timberwolve in Julius Randle.
In 16 minutes of play, Bronny scored just two points, made just one of his six field goal attempts but made up for it on the defensive end with three blocks.
Bronny James in his pre-season debut for the Lakers:
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) October 5, 2024
🔸 2 PTS
🔸 1 REB
🔸 1 AST
🔸 3 BLK
🔸 1-6 FG
🔸 0-1 3PT pic.twitter.com/XJ65i9ssdO
Head coach JJ Reddick gave his thoughts on Bronny’s debut, praising the rookie’s defensive prowess at such a small stature.
“I think defensively at his size, he’s unique. On the offensive end, he's trying to figure out who he is, but I liked what I saw from Bronny.”
“I think defensively at his size he’s unique. On the offensive end, he's trying to figure out who he is… but I liked what I saw from Bronny.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 5, 2024
JJ Redick on how he evaluates Bronny James 🗣?
(via @LoJoMedia)
pic.twitter.com/QumKlieIDC
The 19-year-old checked in for the first time at the start of the second frame and immediately got stuck in a pick that paved the way for Timberwolves’ rookie Rob Dillingham to hit a three pointer.
After his pass was intercepted, Bronny did his best impression of his father’s signature chasedown block when he hustled back a streaking Nickeil Alexander-Walker and swatted away his lay-up attempt.
But Luke Garza cleaned that up to give Minnesota a 41-23 lead with 11:13 seconds left in the second frame.
BRONNY JAMES CHASEDOWN BLOCK 😳 pic.twitter.com/7FwjUpNXfU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 5, 2024
The 55th overall pick of this year’s draft scored his first and only bucket off a strong drive in the closing moments of the game with the Lakers trailing 122-104.
Bronny James strong drive to the cup for his first #NBAPreseason points!
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2024
📺 MIN-LAL on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/WtZcuzR7f8
Josh Minnot led the way for the Timberwolves with a team-high 22 points, while Dillingham added 21 markers and Garza chipped in 20.
Donte DiVicenzo had 11 points and hit all of his shots in just 10 minutes of play in the opening frame for Minnesota, who led by as many as 22 points.
11 PTS / 4-4 FGM 👀 pic.twitter.com/HPwjdpKV54
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves and rookie Dalton Knecht each tallied 16 points to take the command for the Purple and Gold with D'Angelo Russell adding 14 markers. Max Christie and Gabe Vincent combined for 22 points.
