The Los Angeles Lakers’ injury situation is serious enough that they might have to lean on Bronny James during their upcoming playoff series.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Wednesday that James will likely be part of the team’s gameplan for their Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Houston Rockets. The coach emphasized that James has earned the trust of the team, and that the series will require “all hands on deck.”
“We’re gonna have to have all hands on deck for the series,” Redick told reporters. “I think Bronny’s improved a lot. I think we trust him. The shooting piece, I’m a believer in because of how well he shot it the last two years in the G League. He’s improved a ton defensively, in terms of his body positioning, both on- and off-ball. We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well.”
“We're gonna have to have all hands on deck for the series. … He’s got to be ready … I think Bronny's improved a lot. I think we trust him. The shooting piece, I'm a believer in … He's improved a ton defensively, in terms of his body positioning” – JJ Redick on Bronny James pic.twitter.com/ilifp4seoI
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 15, 2026
The Lakers are likely to play the series without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, meaning some other players are going to have to pick up minutes. Bronny appears to be one player the team might look to. In the last ten games of the regular season, he averaged 15.3 minutes with 5.6 points per game. He has flashed some real scoring ability in the G League, though.
Some people are giving the Lakers no chance against Houston. Fair or not, the possibility that they might have to lean on Bronny would count as one reason why.
