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Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was conspicuously absent from the South Bay Lakers’ last two games, although the team announced his G League assignment for the South Bay Lakers’ three home games on November 24.

The South Bay Lakers split the first two games – a 116-98 loss to the Stockton Kings and a 95-85 win over the San Diego Clippers – without Bronny James.

The reason became known when the Lakers listed Bronny James on their injury report before the team’s Nov. 27 road game against the Spurs in San Antonio.

According to the injury report shared by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha on X, Lakers star LeBron James’ son, Bronny, is suffering from a bruised heel.

Lakers injury report for tonight in San Antonio: pic.twitter.com/Ah0rL2B5ir

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) November 27, 2024

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Bronny James’ first two games in the G League had been disastrous. He averaged just 5.0 points on a terrible 21.1% shooting percentage from the floor while missing all three of his 3-point attempts. He also posted 2.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists versus 3.0 assists. His saving grace is his defensive stats (1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks). He also posted an average net rating of -4.0.

Bronny James will also miss the South Bay Lakers’ Nov. 27 game against the Rip City Mix. His next chance to play is Dec. 6 when the South Bay Lakers host the Salt Lake City Stars.

Bronny James is only scheduled to attend South Bay Lakers home games

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Bronny James is only scheduled to play for the South Bay Lakers during their home games, which he said in the “The Hoop Collective Podcast.

“I don’t know whose idea it was, but obviously the Lakers are okay with it,” Windhorst said. “They do it. In this particular case, I think that’s going too far, and I don’t think it benefits Bronny. I don’t think it benefits the South Bay Lakers and I don’t think it benefits LeBron at this point.”

Bronny James could benefit from more game reps in the G League instead of warming up the Lakers bench and waiting for cameo appearances in underwhelming games.

Unlike the NBA teams, the G League teams fly commercially, which may have played a role in the Lakers’ decision.

Bronny James has become an attraction since his NBA Summer League debut. The South Bay Lakers home games that Bronny James attended were sold out.

Magic Johnson: Bronny James isn’t exactly ready to play in the NBA

Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson made it clear that he prefers the team’s handling of Bronny James’ development.

“If I were Bronny, I would tell my dad to just let me play in the G League all season so I can develop,” Johnson said on The Jimmy Kimmel Show in September. “He needs playing time. He doesn’t have to sit on the Lakers’ bench and not play. This is not a strike against him.

“He’s just not ready. He needs to continue to develop and then he will be ready because he has great talent and skills, but he needs to develop those skills much better if he wants to play 15-20 minutes a night or more in the NBA. ”

The 19-year-old rookie has appeared in five NBA games, including the historic moment when LeBron became the first father-son tandem to play in the same NBA game, totaling just 16 minutes.

Bronny James has only scored four points on tough 1-of-6 shooting so far in his young NBA career.

Erle Almo is a basketball journalist who covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 15 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and now lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo