PHILADELPHIA — Bronny James received an unexpected opportunity to play during the first quarter for the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a significant moment in his early NBA career. However, the experience did not go as anticipated.

During a fast break, Bronny attempted a shot, only to have it blocked by Adam Bona, while struggling defensively against Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers whenever they were matched up. The outcome was reflected in his performance stats: Bronny finished the night without scoring, missing all five of his shot attempts, including three attempts from beyond the arc, and recorded three turnovers during the Lakers’ 118-104 defeat to Philadelphia.

In an earlier game just days before, Bronny had an impressive outing, dropping 31 points for the South Bay Lakers in the G League. Lakers coach JJ Redick noted that the situation might have been tough for Bronny given the national spotlight and the travel involved. Although he acknowledged Bronny didn’t perform well, Redick expressed confidence in the young player’s abilities, having seen him excel in practice and G League games.

LeBron James, Bronny’s father, recognized that his son is still adjusting to the league’s level of play. He pointed out a positive moment where Bronny found Jaxson Hayes for a dunk, demonstrating his potential despite the missed shots. LeBron emphasized that becoming comfortable on the court will come with more experience, affirming that this was Bronny’s first substantial time playing with the Lakers’ main roster.

On October 22, Bronny and LeBron made history as the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game during the Lakers’ season opener against Minnesota. Subsequently, Bronny scored his first points in the league on October 30 in Cleveland, in the same arena where he had once watched his father play as a child. Before the recent Philadelphia game, he had logged less than six minutes in each of his first twelve games and had only accumulated four points for the season.

In trying to make a mark, Bronny emphasized the importance of bringing energy to the court, following his coaches’ guidance to play smart and for his teammates. He acknowledged that his primary goal as a rookie is to play correctly and develop his game, and the Lakers have already planned for him to spend significant time with their G League affiliate this season to aid in his development.

While LeBron had a standout performance with 31 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, both he and Bronny shared the unfortunate experience of having their shots blocked by Bona. The Lakers faced the 76ers without their star players, Joel Embiid and Paul George, and they had a solid record of 16-2 against teams with losing records this season. However, the night was challenging as Anthony Davis left the game in the first half due to an abdominal strain after playing just ten minutes with four points.

Davis exited the game walking gingerly toward the locker room, which posed a significant challenge for the Lakers. LeBron commented on the difficulties when key players are sidelined, noting the impact on team performance. With their winning streak snapped at four games, the Lakers faced a tough contest, especially considering the unusual schedule of playing three games in four nights.

As the season unfolds, both Bronny and the Lakers will seek to navigate these challenges and emerge stronger.