LeBron James is no stranger to MVP chants, but on Thursday night, they were directed at his son, Bronny James, during the Los Angeles Lakers' dominant 134-96 victory over the Washington Wizards.
The 20-year-old Bronny, the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, saw some garbage-time action in the blowout, which saw the Lakers lead by a commanding 33 points at halftime. This opportunity came after a challenging performance the previous night where Bronny went scoreless.
In his 12 minutes on the court, Bronny impressed with five points, including a tough and-one play that even brought his father to his feet. The highlight of the night, however, came when fans jokingly serenaded Bronny with "MVP" chants as he stepped up to the free-throw line.
While the chants were clearly lighthearted, they marked a moment of recognition for the young player. Bronny has recently seen increased playing time, totaling 27 minutes in the Lakers' last two games. This comes after a slow start to his NBA career, shooting just 1-for-16 from the field before Thursday's game. His G League performance has been more promising, averaging 16.3 points per game.
The playful MVP chants followed recent criticism from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who suggested that LeBron's presence was hindering Bronny's professional development. With the win, the Lakers improved to 27-19, securing fifth place in the Western Conference.
