If someone were to ask you who scored more points in Game 3 between Bronny James and the entire Houston Rockets bench, without looking, the immediate inclination would be to pick the Rockets, right? If Houston was your answer, you have a problem.
Bronny scored five points for the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3. Meanwhile, six Rockets players combined for a grand total of three points for the Rockets. Naturally, the conclusion you won't get wrong here, if you didn't watch the game, is that Los Angeles won it in a thrilling 112-108 overtime tilt.
James easily had his best game of the series on Friday. After being a relative non-factor in the first two matchups, despite seeing some playing time in the second quarters of both Game 1 and Game 2, Bronny turned it on in Game 3.
The Lakers guard started his scoring night by capitalizing on a lightly-covered 3-point look, cashing that shot in from deep. The real highlight followed soon after. LeBron James found Bronny James for an alley-oop. The effectiveness in those minutes earned Bronny something he had not seen before throughout this series.
LEBRON TO BRONNY.
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026
FATHER TO SON.
BRON ASSIST ➡️ BRONNY REVERSE. pic.twitter.com/OHEWmQuw1O
JJ Redick's trust in Bronny James was clearly building in Game 3
For the first time all series, James was out on the court during the second half of a basketball game. Bronny checked back into the matchup for a run at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The second-year guard did not have anything more to add to his scoring total in that stretch. However, the decision for JJ Redick to reinsert him back into the contest clearly showcased a growing trust in the young guard.
Not only that, but Bronny's confidence is building too. You could see it in the immediate hesitation of pulling the 3-point shot he then made. The more of those go through the bottom of the net, the better James should feel about his progress.
Bronny put in the work during the final lap of the regular season to make a case for playoff minutes on a roster that was going to be without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. James built that trust there, and he is only adding to it now.
Naturally, Bronny will inevitably fall out of the rotation when either one of Doncic or Reaves is back for the Lakers. Of the pair, Reaves is the one closer to a return, and it should actually be expected sooner rather than later.
Selecting James with the 55th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft is becoming a better and better decision by the day for the Lakers.