Bronny

James

Inactive for the Lakers’ first game of the summer on Saturday, James was available and in the starting lineup on Sunday. He only played 11 minutes, but the Lakers guard knocked down two corner threes and opened the action with a breakaway dunk. Expecting Bronny to earn consistent rotation minutes next season may be a bit ambitious, but this is an important summer for him after playing sparingly as a rookie.

He struggled as a scorer in his first career start, but James was able to impact the game in other ways. He set new career highs for both assists and steals while playing a career-high 38 minutes. The Lakers rested their starters since this game had no impact on their place in the standings. It was good to get an extended look at the rookie, but he won’t be part of the rotation in the playoffs.

It will be five new starters for the Lakers in the regular season finale with the rest of their typical opening unit sitting out to prepare for the playoffs. Jaxson Hayes is the lone usual starter that will be available, but his absence from the starting unit implies that he may not play a significant role.

With the Lakers securing the third seed in the West with a win over Houston on Friday, most of their key rotation players will not play in Portland. Doncic and Reaves are sitting, freeing additional rotation minutes for Jordan Goodwin. Goodwin is considered probable for Sunday’s game, so he should be available and is worth rostering in active leagues. Bronny James may also play extended minutes due to the Lakers’ lengthy injury report.

Hayes’ availability is of far greater importance to the Lakers, as he is part of the team’s usual starting lineup. He’ll retain that responsibility on Wednesday. Bronny is not in the Lakers’ rotation most nights, so there’s no need to roster him in active leagues.

James is averaging less than six minutes per game this season, so his availability will not impact fantasy hoops.

Vincent’s availability is more impactful, as he is a regular member of the Lakers’ rotation. Jordan Goodwin may play additional minutes if the Lakers are shorthanded, as Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are also questionable. Bronny’s availability will not have an impact, as he is not in the regular rotation.

As has been the case recently, the Lakers have listed James as probable on the initial injury report. Given the importance of Sunday’s game, fantasy managers can safely assume LeBron will play. As for Bronny, he’s been removed from the injury report but is not likely to log rotation minutes.

James has been downgraded from questionable to out for Friday’s game. His absence does not impact fantasy basketball, as the rookie has not been a rotation player when available.

Absent from the Lakers’ initial injury report for Friday, James is now questionable. His status does not impact fantasy basketball, as the rookie is not in the rotation on most nights.