The NBA G League featured an exciting matchup on Friday, Feb. 28, as the South Bay Lakers faced off against the Salt Lake City Stars. While the game itself was entertaining, the real highlight was a battle between Lakers rookie Bronny James and veteran guard Isaiah Thomas.
Bronny, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, is still finding his path in professional basketball, while Thomas is a former two-time NBA All-Star looking to make his way back into the league. With both players leading their respective teams, the game delivered plenty of action.
Bronny James Faces Off Against Isaiah Thomas in G League Thriller
James, the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, led the charge for South Bay, while Thomas put his 12-year-long NBA experience on the court for the Stars. This matchup was particularly intriguing since Thomas once played alongside Bronny’s father during brief stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the LA Lakers.
Bronny was coming off a stellar performance in his last game in the G League, where he scored 24 points, five rebounds, and six assists on an efficient 10 for 16 shooting against the Valley Suns on Feb. 22. However, Friday night’s matchup proved to be a much tougher challenge.
The South Bay Lakers lost the game 123-114, but Bronny still made his presence felt. He finished the night with 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and one steal.
James started slow. His first quarter was relatively quiet, contributing just two points, two rebounds, and two assists, as the Lakers trailed 32-26 after the opening period. The second quarter wasn’t much different, as Bronny added only two more points, although he did record six assists by halftime.
The second half saw a more aggressive version of Bronny James. He scored six points in the third quarter off of two made 3-pointers. But while his scoring improved, his efficiency still wasn’t at its best. James continued to push hard in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to turn the game around for South Bay.
On the other side, Thomas was on a scoring spree, reminding fans why he was once one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA. The 35-year-old point guard lit up the scoreboard with 29 points, eight rebounds, and two steals — playing a key role in the Stars’ victory.
Bronny James vs Isaiah Thomas in the G League 🔥
(🎥 @JohnBrisker2021 ) pic.twitter.com/crTyaXXiaR
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 1, 2025
One of the most interesting aspects of the game was the direct battle between James and Thomas. After the game, the two shared a special moment, acknowledging each other’s efforts in a post-game exchange.
Despite the loss, James continues to make strides toward his NBA dreams. So far, he’s averaging 17.6 points per game in his last seven appearances for South Bay.
Bronny has also appeared in 17 games for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but his playing time has been limited. In those games, he has scored just 1.4 points per game. His minutes have been restricted, which makes the G League a crucial place for his development.
