The Los Angeles Lakers are set to compete against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, looking to achieve a 3-1 record for the season. This matchup occurs on the second night of a back-to-back, following a thrilling 127-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings. However, the Lakers will face a significant challenge, as they will be missing seven players.
Injuries Impacting the Lakers’ Lineup
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers will be without key players, including stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. This roster depletion involves four additional contributors who are crucial to the team’s performance this season.
Opportunity for Bronny James
With the Lakers’ lineup so heavily impacted, second-year guard Bronny James may receive more playing time in Monday’s game. Despite only participating in one regular-season game thus far, he is not listed on the injury report for this matchup against the Blazers.
- Age: 21
- Recent ankle sprain during the previous week
- Last played in the final two preseason games
In his limited opportunities, James has shown promise. Notably, on March 20, 2025, he recorded a career-high 17 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, he achieved:
| Statistics | Details |
|---|---|
| Points | 17 |
| Shooting | 7-of-10 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Rebounds | 3 |
| Blocks | 1 |
| Minutes Played | 30 |
Bronny James’ Rookie Season Performance
Last season, Bronny James faced challenges, playing in only 27 games and starting just once. His averages included:
- Points per game: 2.3
- Assists per game: 0.8
- Rebounds per game: 0.7
- Shooting percentage: 31.3%
He was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft as the 55th overall pick. Bronny played one season at USC before entering the NBA, averaging 4.8 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game.
As the season progresses, Bronny James has the opportunity to enhance his prospects and prove his value to the Lakers during this challenging period.
