The Los Angeles Lakers defied the odds once again on Tuesday night, grinding out a 101-94 victory over a reinforced Houston Rockets squad to take a 2-0 first-round series lead.
Amid the impressive win, the spotlight was also on JJ Redick’s rotation and insistence on playing Bronny James despite the 21-year-old’s struggles during Game 2.
Lakers’ Bronny James Goes From Historic Cameo to Playoff Liability in Game 2 vs. Rockets
Entering Tuesday night’s crucial matchup, Redick was already navigating a severely depleted backcourt, with starting playmakers Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves both sidelined by injuries.
To make things harder for Los Angeles, the Rockets saw Kevin Durant return to Houston’s lineup after missing the series opener with a right knee contusion.
After checking in to begin the second quarter, Bronny’s struggles to keep pace with Houston’s pressure became impossible to ignore. In just 3 minutes of action, he registered 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists while missing his only shot attempt and coughing up 1 turnover.
The fans were furious at Redick for forcing a struggling Bronny onto the floor when Los Angeles desperately needed flawless execution on both ends of the court.
“JJ Redick comes to his senses and quickly inserts Marcus Smart in for Bronny. He can’t play in this game,” LakersGuru posted.
JJ Reddick comes to his senses and quickly inserts Marcus Smart in for Bronny. He can’t play in this game.
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) April 22, 2026
“Seriously asking but what has Bronny done to be the only end-of-bench young guy to get any chance whatsoever these last two games?” one user asked, further adding, “Giving Nick Smith that final spot when JJ doesn’t trust him at all and would rather play Bronny is idiotic sh*t.”
Giving Nick Smith that final spot when JJ doesn’t trust him at all and would rather play Bronny is idiotic shit. Might as well of just signed Timme
— Parks (@24Dparks) April 22, 2026
Meanwhile, another observer commented, “Man, get Bronny off the floor lmao.”
“Get Bronny a** off the court,” another user posted.
Get Bronny ass off the court
— Lemon Pepper Lou (@LVstackiN) April 22, 2026
“Bronny & Vando sharing the floor together is just not a good idea,” Hoopsnhighlites noted.
In Saturday’s 107-98 Game 1 victory, Redick carved out a brief window for NBA history. Bronny checked into the game for a 4-minute cameo, officially making him and LeBron James the first father-son duo to share the court in a playoff game.
During that brief but historic shift, Bronny failed to stuff the stat sheet, logging 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists while committing 2 fouls and 1 turnover, but managed to scrape by with a plus-3 plus-minus.
While LeBron’s 28-point masterclass bailed the Lakers out to secure the 101-94 win on Tuesday night, Redick will have to make some difficult rotational decisions with the series shifting to Houston.
