Bronny James Sidelined in Shocking Summer League Finale as Lakers Crash Out with 1-4 Record
The Los Angeles Lakers closed out their NBA Summer League run without one of their most watched young prospects, Bronny James. Despite showing steady improvement throughout the summer in Las Vegas, the second-year guard was sidelined for the final contest — a consolation game against the Denver Nuggets — and watched from the bench in street clothes.
James had used the Summer League to build momentum heading into his sophomore NBA season, playing a key role for the Lakers’ squad. Over the course of the tournament, he impressed fans and analysts alike with his evolving skill set and poise under pressure. In four games, James averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting a solid 48% from the field — promising numbers that indicate his development since being drafted by the Lakers in 2024.
However, with Los Angeles falling short of qualifying for the Summer League’s championship bracket, their final appearance came in the form of a consolation matchup. James’ absence from the game against Denver raised eyebrows, though the team has not indicated any serious concerns regarding his health. The Lakers ultimately suffered a tough 106-84 defeat, wrapping up their Summer League campaign with a disappointing 1-4 record.
Still, Bronny’s absence in the finale doesn’t take away from the overall strides he showed during the summer showcase. While the Lakers didn’t achieve much success in terms of wins and losses, individual growth — particularly from young talents like James — was a key takeaway from their Vegas stint.
With Summer League now in the rearview, the Lakers will turn their attention to the rest of the offseason, using the coming months to prepare for the 2025-26 NBA season. Training camp is set to begin in October, and Bronny James will look to carry his progress into a bigger role with the main roster.
