USC Basketball: Bronny James' 13 Points Help Lakers Beat Cavaliers in Summer League

The L.A. rookie is recovering from a brutal start.

Jul 12, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) sits on the bench during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

One-and-done USC Trojans reserve-turned-rookie Los Angeles Lakers point guard Bronny James, selected on a flier with the No. 55 pick in last month's 2024 NBA Draft, continues to rebound for a brutal start in his first four Summer League games.

Across those contests (during which L.A. went 0-4), James had been averaging just 4.3 points on 22.6 percent field goal shooting, including 0 percent three point shooting.

In the last two games, both Lakers wins, James is averaging 12.5 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the floor (47.6 percent), including 3-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc (37.5 percent).

On Thursday night, James had his best game yet, scoring 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor (1-of-3 from deep) and 2-of-2 shooting from the charity stripe, while also chipping in five rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks. His Lakers bested his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-89, abetted by this critical stepback triple (again, his only make from distance on the night):

Stepback, CASH 💸 pic.twitter.com/46Pd5jn1Fx

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 19, 2024

Rookie Los Angeles swingman Dalton Knecht, the No. 17 pick out of Tennessee, scored 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field (2-of-6 from three point land) and 4-of-4 shooting from the charity stripe, grabbed seven rebounds, nabbed one steal and dished out an assist.

Next up for the Summer League edition of the Lakers is a matchup with the Chicago Bulls, slated for Saturday at 4 p.m. PT in Las Vegas.

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