Bronny James mostly watched from the sidelines as the Los Angeles Lakers fizzled in Tuesday’s Game 1 road clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder after a hot start.
As the contest got out of hand, calls began mounting for the sophomore guard to get regular minutes in Lakers coach JJ Redick’s Western Conference semifinal rotation after making a noticeable impact early in Round 1.
Bronny James’ Limited Game 1 Action vs. Thunder Triggers Frustration
LA came out of the gates firing Tuesday, taking an early 7-0 lead, with Bronny’s father, Lakers star LeBron James, contributing 5 of those points. The Lakers also made a concerted effort to limit Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s looks early on, forcing the ball out of his hands with multiple defenders.
However, LA’s talent disadvantage quickly became apparent with its top player, Luka Dončić, still sidelined with a left hamstring strain. LeBron and Co. fell behind by as many as 21 points en route to a lopsided 108-90 defeat, with the four-time MVP’s co-star, Austin Reaves, delivering a stinker.
Reaves finished with just 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 3-for-16 shooting (18.8%) against the league’s No. 1 regular-season defense. The undrafted standout missed all 5 of his 3-point attempts and committed 4 turnovers, leaving the Lakers unable to keep pace despite LeBron’s game-high 27-point performance.
Bronny ultimately checked in with LA trailing 105-87 with 1:45 remaining in the blowout, giving the 21-year-old little time to make an imprint on the game, aside from setting up forward Jake LaRavia for an inconsequential late corner 3.
However, according to NBA fans on X, Bronny should’ve received playing time far sooner, with the Lakers in need of a spark off the bench.
“Bronny might actually be better than Austin Reaves right now,” content creator KenLoveHoops suggested.
Bronny might actually be better than Austin Reaves right now pic.twitter.com/G9GthkF29r
— Kenlovehoops (@Kenlovehoops) May 6, 2026
“At this point, you cannot tell me Bronny is not better than LaRavia,” another user asserted.
At this point, you cannot tell me Bronny is not better than LaRavia
— Davie〽️ (@_SayHeyKid) May 6, 2026
“Bronny would probably give us more than [Luke] Kennard atp,” a Lakers fan speculated.
Bronny would probably give us more than Kennard atp
— Kareem (@Kareem_is_it) May 6, 2026
“Bro, PLEASE give Bronny Jake LaRavia’s minutes,” content creator KenHeLive urged Redick.
Bro PLEASE give Bronny Jake LaRavia’s minutes.
— KenHeLive (@KenHeLive) May 6, 2026
“Honest to god, give Bronny the LaRavia minutes. LaRavia has arguably been the single worst player this postseason. Just utterly petrified of the moment. Totally brutal minutes every time,” FS1’s Nick Wright opined.
Honest to god give Bronny the LaRavia minutes.
LaRavia has arguably been the single worst player this postseason.
Just utterly petrified of the moment. Totally brutal minutes every time.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 6, 2026
While Bronny hasn’t blown anyone away with his playoff numbers, he took major strides as a playmaker and shooter before Reaves’ Game 5 return against the Houston Rockets, while making an impact defensively.
Some have also theorized that the 2024 No. 55 pick subbing in during the first halves of games in Round 1 had a positive impact on his father’s motivation.
OKC held LA to just 35-for-84 shooting overall (41.7%) in Game 1, leaving Redick searching for answers against the defending champions. The Lakers will likely once again enter Thursday’s Game 2 showdown in Oklahoma City as heavy underdogs, with pleas for Bronny minutes expected to continue given his fan-favorite status.
