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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 135-118 Lakers win over the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Houston Rockets in California for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The Lakers finished the regular season as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 53-29 record.
NBA Pundit Makes Honest Bronny James Admission
GettyBronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.Bronny James is in his second season playing for the Lakers.
Before the NBA playoffs begin, Skip Bayless did an interview with DJ Vlad.
He was asked about Bronny James, and gave a brutally honest answer.
DJ Vlad: “Do you think that if his dad wasn’t LeBron James he could be playing in the NBA?”
Bayless: “I don’t… I still haven’t seen enough from him on the pro-level.”
Bronny finished his regular season with averages of 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per contest while shooting 40.9% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range in 42 games.
Bronny’s Career
GettyBronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Moda Center on November 03, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
Bronny spent one season of college basketball at USC.
He had averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while shooting 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range in 25 games.
The 21-year-old was then selected with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Lakers.
GettyBronny James #6 of the USC Trojans looks on in the second half of a quarterfinal game against the Arizona Wildcats during the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats defeated the Trojans 70-49.
Bronny has had limited playing time with the Lakers.
That said, he has been an excellent G League guard.
Over 25 regular season games, Bronny has career averages of 18.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range.
Real App wrote (on April 1): “Lakers were 7-0 when Bronny played in March.”
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks past his son, Bronny James #9, before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Bronny appeared in just two playoff games last year (with limited playing time).
However, with injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, it’s possible that Bronny will get more of a chance in the 2026 postseason.
“Me being on the floor with him … is the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career, above everything that I’ve accomplished” – LeBron on potentially playing in the playoffs with his son, Bronny
Lakers Ahead Of Rockets Series
The Lakers are 28-13 in the 41 games they have played at home in Los Angeles.
They also enter the NBA playoffs in the middle of a three-game winning streak (and 7-3 over their last ten).
Last season, the Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar