An exceedingly tight Los Angeles Lakers rotation handled its business in the NBA playoff opener against the Houston Rockets, but head coach JJ Redick faces a meaningful decision ahead of Game 2 that could alienate superstar LeBron James.
No Luka Doncic and no Austin Reaves has opened up both the starting lineup and the bench for new contributors in L.A., including a handful of minutes for James’ eldest son, Bronny James.
Bronny James was the ninth man in the Lakers’ rotation on Saturday, April 18. He played four minutes, committed two fouls and one turnover. In the aftermath, Tyler Watts of FanSided contended that the younger James’ production over those four minutes garners a decision from Redick to remove him from the rotation heading into Game 2 against Houston Tuesday night.
“LeBron loved sharing the floor with his son, but this is the playoffs. The Lakers can’t be gambling on Bronny minutes, especially with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out,” Watts wrote. “The Lakers have to trim Bronny from the rotation in Game 2 and beyond. … James wants to play with his son, but L.A, can’t risk it.”
Lakers Were Precise in Victory Over Rockets Absent Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James.
Los Angeles held home court with a 107-98 victory, relying heavily on offensive contributions from Luke Kennard (27 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-5 from deep) and DeAndre Ayton (19 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-10 from the field).
LeBron James directed traffic and controlled the pace while distributing the rock against a Houston team absent Kevin Durant. LeBron James finished the night with 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.
The Lakers shot 61 percent as a team, including 53 percent from the 3-point line. The starting five of LeBron James, Kennard, Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart all played between 34-42 minutes. Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt each added 18 minutes off the bench, while Jaxson Hayes saw 13 minutes of action.
Doncic was out after suffering a hamstring strain late in the regular season, while Reaves sustained an oblique strain. Both went down April 2. The best-case scenario for both Doncic and Reaves is a return in the vicinity of Game 5 in L.A., assuming the Lakers are unable to sweep the Rockets.
Bronny James’ Presence on Floor During Lakers’ Playoff Win Was Significant for LeBron James
GettyLos Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
Watts’ assertion that Bronny James can’t be on the floor at all moving forward isn’t yet justifiable given the minimal negative impact he had during the team’s win over Houston in Game 1, plus the wind his presence appears to put in his father’s sails as a 41-year-old superstar whom the Lakers are asking to keep their season alive long enough for Doncic and Reaves to come back.
“I was on the floor with my son, like in the playoff game,” James said following the victory. “That’s probably the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me in my career.”
“It was just so cool to be out there with him —and his brother and sister and his mom in the building, and his grandma,” LeBron James continued. “That’s just insane.”
It is fair to argue that Los Angeles has to make the most of its opportunity with a 1-0 lead and Durant’s health a question mark. And it is unreasonable to expect that the team will shoot so well from the floor with regularity over the course of the series.
That said, if putting Bronny James on the court for a few minutes elevates his dad’s play and overall experience, it’s worth a couple minus minutes at the very end of the bench.
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