Lakers Reveal Injury Status for Bronny James Ahead of Heat Matchup

Jan 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) in action against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) in action against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled rookie guard Bronny James out for their matchup against the Miami Heat.

James, who is dealing with an illness, is ruled out. The Athletic's Jovan Buha shared via X.

James will miss Wednesday's matchup due to illness, though his absence shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation. He has averaged 2.8 minutes per game over eight appearances.

His next chance to play will come Friday against the Brooklyn Nets.

The last we saw James on the court was last Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks when they were blown out 118-97. James only played one minute and didn't record a single stat.

James has played in nine games in the NBA, averaging 0.4 points per game, 0.1 rebounds, 0,3 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.1 steals while shooting 11.1 percent from the field and 2.4 minutes of action.

The 20-year-old has received some criticism in his lone season in the NBA. Many have been critical of his game since he started playing basketball.

James has been at the forefront of the basketball world for some time now, and being with the Lakers, alongside his father, LeBron James, has only magnified the attention.

The former USC Trojan has had more success in the G League, averaging 13.4 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks in seven games and 26.9 minutes of action.

Bronny's struggles are nothing new, especially for a late second-round draft pick, but when you're the son of a famous and renowned basketball player, the criticism is just a little louder.

Although Bronny has played a bit better, his struggles are evident, and they are an outlier among NBA-caliber prospects.

Of the 60 players on two-way contracts who have played in the G League this season, only one averages fewer points per game than Bronny—19-year-old Toronto Raptors center Ulrich Chomche, who averages 0.5 points less in 12 fewer minutes per game. 

James was a No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Although he has played in both the NBA and G League this season, he clearly needs to spend most of his time with the South Bay Lakers.

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Ricardo Sandoval
RICARDO SANDOVAL

Staff Writer