Bronny James delivered his best performance yet in the NBA Summer League, igniting a Lakers surge in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics. But his breakout night wasn’t enough to lift Los Angeles to a win, as the Celtics pulled away for a 87-78 victory Thursday night in Las Vegas.
James, the rookie guard and son of NBA icon LeBron James, posted a team-high 18 points in 28 minutes and 53 seconds of action. He shot 53.8% from the field (7-for-13), knocked down one of four from beyond the arc, and converted three free throws. James also contributed three rebounds, five assists, a steal, and drew three fouls, while committing eight turnovers.
Despite James’ late efforts, the Lakers couldn’t recover from a sluggish second quarter in which they scored nine points. Los Angeles, now 1-3 in Summer League play, has struggled to find consistency, with their lone win coming earlier in the showcase.
Celtics Clamp Down
Boston held Los Angeles to 18.8% shooting from three-point range and capitalized on 21 Laker turnovers. The Celtics improved to 3-1 in Summer League as their defense set the tone throughout the contest.
James’ Summer Surge
James’ strong showing against Boston showcased the significant strides he’s made in Vegas, as he adjusts to the professional pace of play. Entering the contest, he averaged just over 10 points per game but surpassed that mark by finding his rhythm down the stretch in front of the packed Thomas & Mack Center crowd. The Lakers will play one more game in the Summer League, in a consolation contest.
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