Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James will not appear in the team’s Summer League clash with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday due to a knee injury.
The No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft has some trace swelling in his left knee and is being held out of Los Angeles’ game against Golden State due to precautionary reasons, although he is expected to be able to return during the Lakers’ next contest on Wednesday.
James played 21 minutes during the team’s loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
The 19-year-old struggled offensively, recording just four points while shooting 2-9 from the field and missing all three of his attempts from behind the arc. Still, he looked strong on the defensive end of the floor and showcased his pull-up shooting in the third quarter.
It’s important not to put too much stock into single games in the Summer League, especially the debut performances of rookies. Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles’ first-round selection in 2024, shot just 3-12 from the floor which included a 1-of-4 mark from three against the Kings.
James is coming off a shortened freshman season at USC, as he didn’t appear in his first college game until Dec. 10 due to a cardiac arrest that he suffered during the prior offseason. In 25 games, he averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds each night while shooting 48.1 percent on two-point field goals and 26.7 percent on threes.
He’ll have plenty of opportunities to bounce back from Saturday’s game during the summer, as the Lakers still have four more Summer League contests scheduled in Las Vegas after wrapping up their California Classic action against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
In the meantime, Knecht will attempt to help Los Angeles secure a victory against the Warriors on Sunday without James. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. ET.