Bronny James (knee) to miss Lakers' summer league game

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th July, 18:37 2024

NBA: California Classic Summer League-Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings

Jul 6, 2024; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James Jr. (9) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings guard Dane Goodwin (33) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Bronny James will miss the team's California Classic summer league game Sunday against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco due to swelling in his left knee.

James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James, made his professional debut in the Lakers' 108-94 summer league loss Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. He finished with four points on 2-of-9 shooting from the floor in 22 minutes. He added two assists, two rebounds and a steal.

"Every first game that I step into the next level, it's always some butterflies in my stomach," the 19-year-old told reporters, per ESPN. "But as soon as the ball tips and we go a couple times down, it all goes away and I'm just playing basketball. So it's always going to be there, but I'll get through it."

Bronny James, who was selected in the second round with the No. 55 overall pick in the NBA Draft last month, is expected to play in the Lakers' California Classic finale against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, according to Spectrum SportsNet. He played one season -- 25 games (six starts) -- of college ball at Southern California after suffering cardiac arrest during a summer workout last July.

James averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds and shot 36.6 percent from the field for the Trojans.

--Field Level Media