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Los Angeles, CA – April 07:
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) on the court against the Oklahoma Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets by a score of 98-78.
The Lakers won the series 4-2.
Bronny James played three minutes, finishing with one rebound, one assist and one steal while shooting 0/1 from the field.
NBA Fans React To Bronny James’ Performance
GettyBronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles as Aaron Holiday #0 of the Houston Rockets defends during the first half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Here’s what people were saying about Bronny:
Antwane Willis Jr.: “More playoff minutes for Bronny James tonight. Even though it’s garbage time, it’s good to see keep his legs fresh.”
@makingtronics: “bronny is too good to be a garbage time player”
Daniel Starkand: “Adou and Bronny as human victory cigars >”
@itscalledtwitta: “Lakers 4-0 when Bronny plays”
@TylerEd36495638: “Bronny minutes in a playoff elimination game that his dad led to win”
@kingbchalla: “Bronny James would be an All-Pro NFL safety if he had chose to play football instead of basketball.”
@Buaba_: “Bronny is gonna be a good player”
@ChardParadzayi: “Bronny enters and already has a steal, assist and a rebound 😂😂”
GettyJarred Vanderbilt #2 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers chat during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Bronny is in his second season after being selected with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of USC.
He finished the 2025-26 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.
GettyBronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up prior to Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Lakers After Rockets Series
GettyBronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
The Lakers (who are the fourth seed) are now headed to the second round to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game 1 of the series will be on Tuesday night in Oklahoma.
Sam Quinn of CBS Sports wrote: “More than anything, this feels like a culture win for JJ and LeBron. I think the Lakers are just gonna be at too much of a talent deficit to do much against the Thunder, but to win any series like this speaks to a sort or organizational cohesion that’s been lacking for years.”
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
