The Los Angeles Lakers secured a dominant 128-112 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday night, but the biggest moment of the game wasn’t about the final score—it was about Bronny James. The son of NBA legend LeBron James made his Madison Square Garden debut, and even though he played limited minutes, his presence alone sent the crowd into a frenzy.
A Moment to Remember at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often regarded as the mecca of basketball, has hosted some of the sport’s most legendary performances. On Saturday, it welcomed another special moment—Bronny James stepping onto its court for the first time in an NBA game.
Before he even checked in, the New York crowd had already made their feelings known. Chants of “We want Bronny!” echoed through the arena, urging Lakers head coach JJ Redick to give the rookie his moment. With just under two minutes left in the game and the Lakers firmly in control, Redick granted their wish.
As Bronny jogged onto the hardwood, the Garden erupted. It wasn’t just an ordinary garbage-time substitution—it was a moment packed with excitement, curiosity, and the weight of expectations that come with being LeBron James’ son.
First NBA Points at The Garden
It didn’t take long for Bronny to make his mark. The former USC guard, known for his high basketball IQ and smooth playing style, wasted no time attacking the rim. Driving into the paint, he finished a left-handed layup with confidence, officially etching his name onto the scoresheet in one of basketball’s most historic arenas.
In his brief stint, Bronny logged 1:50 minutes of action, finishing with two points on a perfect 1-of-1 shooting. He also recorded one turnover but maintained a neutral plus/minus rating of 0.
Social Media Reacts to Bronny’s Debut
As expected, the internet wasted no time celebrating Bronny’s first NBA bucket at Madison Square Garden. Fans on social media flooded timelines with reactions—some playful, some hyped, and some throwing shade at NBA stars yet to reach certain milestones.
“Bronny has never missed a shot in Madison Square Garden,” one fan joked.
“No more ‘worst FG% ever’ graphics on my timeline. Good riddance,” another added, referencing earlier criticisms of Bronny’s shooting percentages.
Others took the moment to poke fun at NBA rivals. “Bronny James scored at the Garden before [Joel] Embiid made a conference finals appearance,” a fan quipped.
Another humorously compared Bronny’s efficiency to NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain: “That 100% is Wilt-like, he may have surpassed his father already.”
What’s Next for Bronny and the Lakers?
With the Knicks now in the rearview mirror, the Lakers set their sights on their next challenge—a high-stakes matchup against their cross-town rivals, the LA Clippers, on Tuesday.
While it remains uncertain whether Bronny will see more minutes in that game, his brief but memorable stint at MSG proved one thing: the hype surrounding him is very real. And if the reaction from the New York crowd is any indication, the basketball world is eager to see what’s next for LeBron’s heir on the NBA stage.
I am a writer with a passion for technology and gaming. I write about a variety of subjects, including Esports, Games, Shows, and Sports. I create engaging and informative content for Hiptoro.