Bronny James marked a significant milestone in his young career by scoring his first NBA points on Wednesday night, as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-110. The moment, though brief, was filled with emotion and nostalgia, especially for the fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
James entered the game late in the fourth quarter, with the outcome already decided in favor of the Cavaliers.
Despite the lopsided score, the crowd—many of whom still hold a deep affection for the James family due to LeBron James’ two stints in Cleveland and his role in bringing a championship to his hometown team—cheered loudly as Bronny took the floor.
On the left side of the court, Bronny crossed over his defender and made a quick drive to the basket before dribbling back toward the corner to put up a shot. As the ball sailed through the hoop, the arena erupted in applause, celebrating the young guard’s first career NBA points.
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This game was only Bronny’s second of the season, and it’s likely he’ll see more time developing in the G League as the year progresses. Still, the moment of scoring his first points in Cleveland, where his father’s legacy looms so large, was undeniably special—both for Bronny and for the fans in attendance.
While the Cavaliers basked in the glow of the emotional night, they were also focused on taking care of business on the court, extending their undefeated start to 5-0—the best record in the league so far.
Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 25 points and five rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, shooting 10-of-20 from the floor, including four three-pointers. Mitchell also contributed seven assists and three steals, showcasing his all-around game. Jarrett Allen was a force in the paint, finishing with 20 points and an impressive 17 rebounds.
The Lakers, meanwhile, dropped to 3-2 on the season. LeBron James did his best to keep the Lakers competitive, scoring 26 points and reminding everyone of his enduring talent and leadership.
Rookie Dalton Knecht also had a standout performance, scoring 18 points in just 22 minutes off the bench, providing a bright spot in an otherwise tough night for the Lakers.
Bronny’s debut points were a symbolic passing of the torch, highlighting the continuation of the James family’s presence in the NBA. Though his journey is just beginning, and he will undoubtedly face challenges along the way, Bronny’s first basket will be a moment that fans—particularly those in Cleveland—will remember as the start of his own path in the league.
