Bronnie James made his Summer League debut in 2025, contributing 10 points in just 10 minutes as the Lakers secured a 103-83 win against the Miami Heat at the California Classic held at Chase Center on Sunday. The Lakers led for most of the game, overcoming a 10-0 run by the Heat early in the third quarter with strong outside shooting to keep a solid double-digit lead.
Cole Swider led the Lakers’ scoring for the second consecutive game, putting up 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including two from five attempts beyond the arc. Swider praised the team’s defense in the first half, which held the Heat to 38 points, saying they managed to “survive the storm” and maintain control.
James, who did not play in Saturday’s loss to the Warriors, showed efficiency with three made shots and two three-pointers before sitting out in the later stages for conditioning. He expressed feeling better being on the court after some time away, aiming to contribute both offensively and defensively.
Starting strong, Bronnie sparked the Lakers with a steal and quick dunks to score their opening points. The Lakers shot an impressive 57.1% from the field and limited Miami to only 14 free throws while holding the Heat to under 30% accuracy from three-point range.
Swider noted his role as a veteran helping younger players on the team, referencing his chemistry with Bronnie from their time with the South Bay Lakers. The team now rests before facing the San Antonio Spurs in the California Classic finale on Tuesday at 7 pm, then heads to Las Vegas for the remainder of the Summer League.
Fan Take: This performance highlights the emerging talent and depth of the Lakers’ roster, giving fans hope for the future. Seeing players like Bronnie James and Cole Swider step up in the Summer League is exciting—it could signal the start of a new, dynamic chapter for the team and the sport.
