Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) celebrates after making a three point basket during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. / Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

With LeBron James out again for Friday night’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking for contributions elsewhere. They got a nice little bonus from Bronny James in the first quarter as the rookie scored five points off the bench, answering a chorus of loud boos from Nuggets fans when he checked into the game.

Bronny James receives loud boos after getting subbed in for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/B8MRomnq42

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) March 15, 2025

James has been one of the most discussed end-of-the-bench NBA players in modern history—to the point that his place on the Lakers bench was the butterfly effect for a viral LeBron-Stephen A. Smith confrontation that dominated sports media for days. But the loud and sustained booing from an opposing fanbase is somewhat new.

BRONNY JAMES HITS THE THREE OVER JOKIC 🤯

Bronny is LOCKED IN 😤 pic.twitter.com/a4X9mFtYkm

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 15, 2025

Perhaps it will inspire a breakout performance from Bronny, who is more than halfway to his career high of nine points at halftime and has already been recognized as being locked in.