Bronny James was called for a flagrant foul during his Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Thursday that had people asking questions.
Phoenix was up 103-99 with under four minutes left in the game and Jalen Bridges had the ball. Bridges was going down the sideline in transition. The only defender nearby was James, who didn’t completely go in to contest the layup, nor did he get out of the way.
Instead, James nudged Bridges in the middle of the body as Bridges had gone airborne.
BRONNY JAMES' FIRST NBA FLAGRANT FOUL 👀pic.twitter.com/J7sJcgpF13
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 18, 2024
this was called a FLAGRANT foul on Bronny
Agree with the call? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sne1JiOK8F
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) October 18, 2024
People were asking whether a flagrant foul call was deserved. Flagrant fouls are defined as “unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent.” James bumping Bridges certainly was unnecessary contact. Either he should actually try to defend on the play, or he should get out of the way.
The Lakers won the game 128-122 in overtime. James had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 fouls in 17 minutes. He went 2/4 from the field and missed both of his free throw attempts.
