Lakers Recall Bronny James Amid Injury Concerns, Including Luka Doncic's Leg Contusion
The injury bug has bitten the Lakers again-and this time, it’s hit hard. The most pressing concern?
Luka Doncic, who suffered a left leg contusion during the first half of Saturday night’s matchup against the Clippers. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and while he’s currently listed as day-to-day, the timing couldn’t be worse for a Lakers team already walking a tightrope with its backcourt depth.
With Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent also dealing with injuries, the Lakers are short on healthy guards as they enter a crucial late-December stretch. That’s why the team made a notable roster move on Sunday, calling up Bronny James Jr. from the South Bay Lakers.
It’s a move born out of necessity more than long-term planning. Ideally, the Lakers would’ve preferred to keep James in the G League to continue his development. But with Doncic sidelined and the rotation thinning, Los Angeles needed fresh legs-and James gets the call-up.
This isn’t the first time James has been thrust into the spotlight due to injuries. Earlier this season, a similar wave of absences gave him extended minutes.
But the opportunity didn’t quite translate into production. James struggled to find rhythm on the floor, which led to multiple stints back in South Bay.
Now, with the Lakers sitting at 19-8 and jostling for position in a competitive Western Conference, he’ll get another shot.
The 21-year-old second-year guard has had a quiet campaign so far. He’s averaging 1.9 points and 1.5 assists per game, shooting just 32.3% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but this recall gives him a chance to reset. With the Lakers needing reliable minutes from whoever’s available, James has a window to prove he can contribute-especially on the offensive end, where consistency has been elusive for him.
The Lakers aren’t asking James to be a star. They’re asking him to be solid.
Handle the ball, make smart decisions, knock down open shots, and play within the system. If he can do that, he may carve out a more stable role, even after the roster gets healthy again.
For now, though, all eyes are on Doncic’s status. The Lakers will be cautious with their All-Star, and rightfully so. But in the meantime, it’s next man up-and for Bronny James Jr., that means another opportunity to show he belongs.