On November 15, the Lakers faced the Bucks in a game that delivered more than a Milwaukee win. Luka Doncic delivered a masterclass. But the spotlight shifted to Bronny James. The young guard started for the second time this season, yet he failed to meet expectations.
James played only 10 minutes. His indecision in key moments frustrated both Luka and head coach JJ Redick. In one of the first possessions, Doncic found Bronny completely open in the left corner. The rookie hesitated, drove without conviction, and passed the ball.
Frustration and unrest in the locker room
According to Essentiallysports, Luka threw his arms up and looked toward the bench, clearly upset. On the next play, the scene repeated itself. Bronny received the ball in the corner, hesitated again, and passed it to Reaves, who rescued the possession with a layup and a free throw. Redick didn’t hold back: “Bronny, you have to shoot the ball.”
The message was clear. The coaching staff’s patience seems to be nearing its limit. Bronny was pulled from the game after just four minutes in the first half. He returned late in the game, when the result was already decided. And finished with one assist, one steal, and one rebound. But his impact was minimal.
JJ Redick cusses Bronny out 🤣🤣
“Bronny you gotta shoot the f*cking ball”Even JJ is fed up with Bronnys scared garbage a** 😭😭
(h/t The Dreamerspro Show on Youtube) pic.twitter.com/z95aL8b21O
— TheTruth (@Thetruth8240) November 18, 2025
Redick had shown confidence in him early in the season. “He’s much more comfortable and confident as a player… I thought what he did in the G League last year was essential in helping him develop a level of comfort at this level.” But that comfort hasn’t translated into results. Bronny is averaging only 2.3 points per game, shooting 26.9 percent from the field and 20 percent from three.
His BPM sits at -4.2. Fans reacted quickly. “Why is he on the floor if he can’t hit a completely open corner three?” one wrote. Another added: “He’s 0-for-4 from three and 0-for-6 in the last two games. He has no confidence right now.” LeBron James’ absence—he was practicing with the South Bay Lakers—did not prevent his presence from being felt.
“LeGM is going to talk to Luka,” joked one fan. Being the King’s son comes with constant pressure. Every possession is examined closely. Bronny stands at a crossroads. The NBA doesn’t wait. He needs to regain his confidence and prove he can compete at the highest level. The next shot could be the one that changes his narrative.
