Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves got a kick out of starting alongside Bronny James, and not his father, during Saturday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“How about Bronny James starting in the NBA, and LeBron’s assigned to the G League? That’s fun. That’s awesome,” Reaves said after the 119-95 victory (h/t ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).
LeBron is practicing with the Lakers’ G League affiliate while ramping up his rehab from the sciatica that has sidelined him for the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
“I told him he should play a game,” Reaves said about James’ stint with the South Bay Lakers. “Still, I still don’t believe it.”
Bronny meanwhile made his first start of the season with the Lakers while Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart were sidelined against the Bucks.
He ultimately recorded no points and was minus-6 in 10 minutes on the court, going 0-for-2 from deep while contributing one assist, one rebound and a steal.
The outing marked the second start of James’ NBA career. He previously started, and played more than 38 minutes, in last season’s regular-season finale loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
So far during his second NBA season, James has come in and out of the lineup while averaging around 12 minutes per game while playing. His most productive game, a nine-point performance on Nov. 8, came when JJ Redick let him play out the fourth quarter of a blowout loss at the Atlanta Hawks.
The Lakers had a more successful outing Saturday, when they surged out to a 12-point lead by the end of the first quarter.
Luka DonÄić racked up 41 points, while Reaves posted 25 points and Deandre Ayton contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds to the win.
McMenamin reported Friday that LeBron James had rejoined five-on-five practice as a full participant for the first time in “nearly six months,” and that he could potentially make his season debut during next Tuesday’s home game against the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers will hope getting the elder James back to play alongside DonÄić, Reaves and Ayton will help the team stay competitive in the crowded top of the Western Conference.
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