Bronny James Makes His G League Debut with the South Bay Lakers
After recently stepping onto the court for his NBA debut, Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers is set to showcase his skills in his first G League game this Saturday. The young star will play for the South Bay Lakers at the UCLA Health Training Center located in El Segundo, California, which also serves as the training facility for the Los Angeles Lakers. This season, the Lakers plan to have James alternate between the official Lakers roster and the South Bay squad to aid in his development.
On Saturday, James and the South Bay Lakers will face off against the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, at 5 p.m. PT. Excitement is palpable as tickets for the game sold out quickly, with South Bay announcing the news on Friday morning. Fans can catch the action live, as the game will be streamed on Tubi and Spectrum SportsNet locally, as well as on YouTube in Canada and Mexico.
Bronny James, selected as the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his much-anticipated debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on October 22. This historic moment marked the first time a father-son duo—Bronny and his father, LeBron James—played together in the NBA. In his second appearance on October 30 in Cleveland, Bronny scored his first points amidst a chorus of cheers from the hometown crowd.
How to Watch
- When: Saturday, 5 p.m. PT
- Where: UCLA Health Training Center
- Watch: The game will be streamed on Tubi and Spectrum SportsNet locally, as well as on YouTube in Canada and Mexico.
GO DEEPER: Bronny James’ former teachers and teammates in Ohio reminisce about a kid who ‘wasn’t above anyone else’
How Will Bronny Handle the Pressure?
Much like the excitement surrounding NBA opening night, all eyes will be trained on Bronny this Saturday. The anticipation from Lakers fans has been at an all-time high, especially with the buzz generated over the past summer and now into the regular season. Tickets for Saturday’s game sold out over 24 hours in advance, with resale prices starting at an impressive $200. The atmosphere is expected to be electric—unusually lively for a G League matchup. Both Bronny and LeBron have expressed confidence in the 20-year-old’s ability to handle pressure, but this game will mark the most significant playing time he has had since the Summer League, and the stakes are undeniably higher.
— Jovan Buha, Lakers beat writer
What Will Be His Offensive Role?
The Lakers are integrating the same offensive systems and principles across both their NBA and G League teams, which means this game will provide a valuable first glimpse into how Los Angeles intends to utilize Bronny offensively during competitive play. He is expected to function primarily as a spot-up shooter and a secondary ball handler. However, in his time with the NBA team, he has been seen running more pick-and-roll plays and taking off-the-dribble jump shots.
With a more defined team hierarchy—having primarily played in garbage time, which can often devolve into chaotic, freestyle basketball—James’ usage and role in this game will offer significant insights into his development.
— Buha
Required Reading
- Bronny James’ former teachers and teammates in Ohio share memories of a kid who ‘wasn’t above anyone else’
- Lakers sending Bronny James to G League: Understanding Los Angeles’ strategic plan
- Lakers’ Bronny James scores his first career points in a loss to his hometown Cavaliers: ‘A dream come true’
(Photo: Jonathan Hui / Imagn Images)
