The Los Angeles Lakers have missed some key pieces to start the 2025-26 NBA season. LeBron James has yet to appear in a game, and Luka Doncic has missed half of Los Angeles' games so far this season.
The Lakers have managed to maneuver through the injuries, starting their season 6-2, and it's thanks in part to some key contributors who have stepped up in the absence of Los Angeles' superstars.
Austin Reaves has been a one-man wrecking ball, of course, but Bronny James, the much-maligned son of LeBron, has had some flashes early on in the season as a rotational player.
Nick Wright claps back at James family detractors
Fox Sports' Nick Wright made a point of this on his podcast, highlighting that the Bronny haters have been quiet since his emergence in the Lakers' rotation.
"If we are going to be fair, the last two games, the Lakers, who are super shorthanded, were in a tight game with Miami, played Bronny in crunch time, he played really good defense, and they won," Wright said on his podcast.
"And then yesterday, the Blazers were double-digit favorites, LeBron was out, Luka was out, and Austin Reeves was out. Bronny played 19 minutes, six assists, no turnovers, and the Lakers won again. Whole point is, Bronny James has been a slightly above average late second round pick. And the folks that used him as a cudgel because they hate LeBron should be embarrassed."
With Bronny's emergence as a defensive specialist and playmaker, the folks who thought LeBron's son would be a waste of a roster spot have some apologies to make.
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- Lakers' Luka Doncic downplays groin injury after Warriors loss
- JJ Redick rips Lakers after 'terrible' outing against Warriors
- Lakers' Austin Reaves turns heads with LeBron James retirement comment