Bronny James is set to play significant minutes in the 2026 NBA Playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers due to injuries affecting key players. His recent performance has made him a crucial part of the team's strategy.
Key points
Bronny James is contributing significant minutes in the playoffs
Los Angeles Lakers face injuries to key guards
LeBron James likely to play alongside his son
Bronny's recent performance has been strong
JJ RedickBronny JamesLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
A year ago, the thought of Bronny James contributing significant playoff minutes to the Los Angeles Lakers may have been inconceivable. But in April 2026, that's where the team is at.
Heading into the 2026 NBA Playoffs with a first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets, LeBron James is likely going to have playoff minutes alongside his son — something that, considering Bronny James' age and limited experience, wasn't considered very realistic even at the beginning of the season.
But with the younger James playing well recently and Los Angeles dealing with two major injuries to guards, JJ Redick has found some stability in his father-son duo.
Here's why Bronny James is likely set to contribute to the Lakers in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
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When the Lakers drafted Bronny James 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, or even throughout the 2024-25 season, there was little-to-no thoughts of the guard becoming a rotational player any time soon.
James primarily played in the G League, where he continued to develop after having limited experience at USC. Outside of the occasional moment with his father on the court, or starting in the Lakers' season finale in 2024-25, Bronny James was viewed as a player who would take a while to develop.
This season has changed things a bit, and for James' benefit. Even before injuries impacted the Lakers' rotation to end the season, James was becoming a deep-bench contributor, with nine points against the Hawks in November, six against the Kings in December, eight against the Cavaliers in January, then 12 points and six assists against the Spurs in February.
More than ever, the young guard was looking like he belonged in the NBA, with some defensive talent and better shooting from deep.
Then, the final weeks of the regular season arrived — and Redick needed the younger James more than ever. James played a career-high 26 minutes against the Wizards on Mar. 30, and just days later, he would be a more significant part of the rotation.
With injuries to the Lakers' two leading scorers, James played double-digit minutes in five April games to close out the regular season. And he performed well in them, with 10 points against the Warriors and 11 against the Jazz.
With the playoffs looming, and the Lakers still needing as much guard help as they can get, Redick confirmed that James would likely be seeing playoff minutes.
“We’re gonna have to have all hands on deck for the series,” Redick said, per Silver Screen and Roll. “He’s got to be ready. Nick [Smith Jr.] will have to be ready. I think Bronny’s improved a lot. I think we trust him. The shooting piece, I’m a believer in, because of how well he shot it in the last two years in the G League.
“I know there was a stretch recently where he didn’t shoot it well and of course, he had a nice shooting game against Utah. He’s improved a ton defensively in terms of his body positioning, both on and off ball. We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well.”
In some fashion, the Bronny-LeBron duo is likely set to share the floor as a father-son duo in the NBA Playoffs.
An April 2 game against the Thunder brought not just one, but two massive injuries to the Lakers.
Both of their leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, last played in that matchup. The two guards are expected to be sidelined into the playoffs, with the chances of returning depending on how far L.A. makes it.
Luka Doncic
Doncic was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain after tweaking his leg in the first half against the Thunder on Apr. 2, then aggravating it again in the second half.
He left the game in visible pain, and shortly after, Doncic was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season by the Lakers. In the days afterward, Doncic reportedly traveled to Europe for treatment to his hamstring, seeking to accelerate his recovery timeline — his injury typically takes around a month to heal, which means he wouldn't be ready until early May.
With the playoffs looming, including a first round matchup against the Rockets, Redick said he had no updates on Doncic. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on Apr. 16 that the Lakers have "no expectation" that Doncic will be ready at any point in the first round, which could last through May 3 for a potential Game 7.
Doncic, despite appearing in 64 games, will be eligible for awards after successfully appealing his case to the NBA's 65-game rule.
Austin Reaves
Also in that Apr. 2 game against the Thunder, Austin Reaves was left injured. With his left side "bothering him," per ESPN, the team got an MRI done, which showed he had a Grade 2 oblique strain, sidelining him for 4-6 weeks — a similar timeline to Doncic.
Reaves has been out since, with Redick saying he had no updates on the guard before the start of the playoffs. The Lakers also have "no expectation" of Reaves' return coming in the first round, per McMenamin.
James, 21, wound up appearing in 15 more games in 2025-26 than he did as a rookie for the Lakers.
Most of his production came late in the season following the Reaves and Doncic injuries, but he did have contributions sprinkled throughout the campaign before then.