After only playing one game for the Los Angeles Lakers in December, rookie Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, has seen the court in two of the Lakers’ previous three games.
Last month, Bronny was constantly going back and forth between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. The former USC Trojan had started to find his stride, scoring in double-figures in six of his last seven G League games.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles lost its second-straight game, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 118-97. To make matters worse, both LeBron and Anthony Davis were playing for the Lakers while Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were out.
It was an ugly performance for JJ Redick’s squad all-around, enough so that Bronny was able to come in for the final 1:26 of action with the game already well out of hand. But he did not record any statistics.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The next day, ahead of a five-game homestand, Los Angeles made a decision on Bronny.
With South Bay facing in-state foe, the Stockton Kings, on Saturday, Bronny was assigned to the G League once again. Los Angeles forward Jarred Vanderbilt will join Bronny, likely to help with his recovery from foot surgery.
“Jared Vanderbilt played 5-on-5 with coaches yesterday,” LA Times’ Lakers beat write Dan Woike reported. “Lakers would like to get him on the court with either the team or G-League before his return. Said plan is for him to come back in ‘small doses.’ Want to build him up for a playoff run.”
Bronny has appeared in nine games for the South Bay Lakers this season, averaging 14.7 points on 37.9% shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.9 minutes per contest. He even tallied 30 points in a Dec. 12 game against the Valley Suns, his first G League road trip.
The Los Angeles Lakers have fallen to 20-16 after their latest loss to the Mavs. However, with the Friday night matchup against the Charlotte Hornets canceled due to the tragic fires in the LA area, they won’t see the court again until Sunday when they face the San Antonio Spurs.