Bronny James performed his first NBA preseason sport Friday evening, however LeBron James wasn’t in uniform with him when THE The Lakers hosted Minnesota in Los Angeles’ first of two weekend video games within the Coachella Valley.
Lakers coach JJ Redick determined to carry out LeBron James towards the Timberwolves after three powerful days of coaching camp, however the 39-year-old main scorer in NBA historical past will doubtless play towards Phoenix on Sunday — which simply so occurs to be Bronny’s twentieth birthday.
Bronny James completed with two factors within the Lakers’ 124-107 loss to the Timberwolves, lacking his first 5 photographs earlier than hitting a layup with 56.9 seconds to play. But the 6-foot-5 guard additionally blocked three photographs and picked up a rebound and an help through the first half of the second quarter and far of the fourth.
Before they change into the primary father and son to play in the identical NBA sport, Bronny James is aware of he has numerous work to do. He bought his first probability to play with the Gold Lakers when he took the ground to begin the second quarter at Acrisure Arena exterior Palm Springs.
Playing alongside Lakers place to begin guard D’Angelo Russell, Bronny was caught by a decide on his first defensive possession, permitting Rob Dillingham to hit an open 3-pointer. Bronny’s go was then intercepted by Nickeil Alexander-Walker on the opposite finish, however Bronny got here again and blocked his layup try.
Bronny missed all three of his photographs throughout his first six minutes of motion, together with a 3-pointer. He picked up an help when he discovered Rui Hachimura for a 3-pointer from the nook on a quick break.
Bronny returned early within the fourth quarter, lacking a jumper and having a layup try blocked. In the ultimate minute, he took a go from fellow rookie Dalton Knecht and made a layup over a defender for his first factors.
LeBron appeared to keep up a cautious distance from Bronny through the sport, permitting his eldest son to deal with his work. But LeBron spoke to Bronny at size throughout a timeout halfway by the second quarter, explaining one thing with gestures as Bronny nodded.
Bronny James was The Lakers’ second-round draft pickand performed within the Summer League in Las Vegas. He is predicted to play for the Lakers within the preseason earlier than spending a good portion of the upcoming common season with the South Bay Lakers of the G League.
“Of course there’s nervousness,” Bronny mentioned after the Lakers’ pregame shootaround. “But I’m simply excited to go on the market and study from the people who play in entrance of me, and if I get an opportunity to point out what I can do, I’ll.”
As is typical of inactive gamers, LeBron has largely stayed away from Lakers conferences. He principally stayed on the perimeter throughout timeouts with Anthony Davis, who additionally missed the preseason opener. Both superstars have been on retreat in El Segundo.
“We thought that given every part they’d this summer season and their degree of participation during the last three days, it made extra sense for them to take the time off at the moment,” Redick mentioned. “We instructed them throughout filming to only stand.”
Redick mentioned as a lot Thursday both LeBron James and Davis will play not less than one sport this weekend. Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes began within the celebrity spot towards Minnesota together with Russell, Hachimura and Austin Reaves.
Friday’s crowd did not appear dissatisfied as they poured into the world that opened 22 months in the past and is residence to the American Hockey League’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. Hundreds of followers in gold Lakers jerseys representing everybody from James to George Mikan rushed into the constructing and down the steps to the decrease bowl for an up-close take a look at the pre-game warmups.
“The wonderful thing about the Lakers is we have now followers all around the world,” Redick mentioned. “The desert right here is an extension, I feel in a means, of our fan base in Los Angeles. It’s an incredible alternative for our group to play in entrance of those followers tonight.”
James and Davis will miss the primary of the Lakers’ six preseason video games as they return to competition after an intense summer season. They joined the Lakers earlier than the sport in avenue garments.
LeBron and Davis have been each a part of the U.S. group that received a gold medal on the Paris Olympics, they usually went to midcourt proper earlier than tip-off to greet Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, their Olympic teammate.
