JJ Redick believes Brony James can build on recent ‘force’

LOS ANGELES – The The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with multiple injuries to start the 2025-26 season, especially in the backfield. The Lakers’ injuries have opened up playing time Bronnie Jameswho is in the second season of his NBA career. James was invited by the head coach of the Lakers JJ Redick in recent games to secure backup point guard minutes, and he had his own most memorable game of this piece during the team’s 130-120 win against the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Bronie James’ impact against the Heat wasn’t measured by his box score, but instead came from his defensive play that pressured the ball against Davion Mitchell, especially in the fourth quarter when the Lakers stalled Miami’s late rally. After the game, JJ Redick said he believes James can certainly build on his recent performances moving forward.

“I thought he was really good with the ball (on defense), and I saw that twice in the last week, I think it was the second half against Portland. He was really just a force in terms of containment and physicality,” Redick said. “And he probably made the play of the game.”

“Luka was double-teamed, he was the next guy. He drove the shutout, got into the paint, read the paint swarm and ended up getting his teammate an open three,” Redick continued. “So it’s a really good block for him tonight to make a very big play in the fourth quarter and make a lot of good plays.”

One of those plays came on the offensive end when James cut into the lane to grab a lob pass from Austin Reaves and finish with a dunk, much to the delight of the Lakers’ home crowd. It was his only stretch of the game, but it came at a time when the Lakers were taking control of the game early and building a double-digit lead. James would also add two assists and three steals in 18 minutes.

The No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, James spent most of last season playing in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. Although he had a slow start to his career, he looked much more comfortable on the pro court by midseason.

He appeared in 18 games with South Bay, averaging just over 31 minutes per game. He averaged 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 41.9 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from the three-point line and 76.9 percent from the free throw line.

Gabe Vincent remains sidelined with an ankle injury for the time being, and James appears to have earned Redick’s trust as the main point guard off the bench in the meantime.