The vet Bronny James is studying before Game 1 vs. Rockets

LOS ANGELES – The injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have called Bronny James into action for the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening-round series of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets. James was thrust into the lineup towards the end of the regular season amid the injuries, and he figures to be part of head coach JJ Redick’s nine-man rotation for the playoffs.

Although Bronny James was on the Lakers’ roster last season during their postseason run, this is essentially his debut for the playoffs considering he was not a part of the rotation last year. And for him, there’s no better vet to have to look towards as an example than Marcus Smart.

“He’s been in, I don’t know how many playoffs, but a lot. I like to study guys like him, especially smaller guards, smaller defensive-minded guards,” James said following Lakers’ practice this week. “I’ve been studying him and watching him, asking questions, stuff like that. He’s just a great vet for me to have.”

James comes into Game 1 against the Rockets having appeared in 42 games, including one start, at a little over eight minutes per game. He averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists while shooting 40.9 percent from the field, 38.6 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 85.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

But he had a strong close to the regular season, earning a spot in the rotation and filling in for the injured Doncic and Reaves. In his last five games, he averaged 6.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals with splits of 46.4 percent shooting from the field and 41.2 percent shooting from the 3-point line, as per StatMuse.

James has the potential to be the X-factor for the Lakers in their playoff series against the Rockets. In a way, this is James’ playoff debut considering he was not in the rotation last season when the Lakers were eliminated in the opening round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This time around, James is a full participant in the team’s playoff preparation.

“Going over scouts, going over game plan, locking in small details, stuff like that,” James said. “Getting our body and minds right for the battle we’ve got to go into. So just doing all the right things to prepare for what’s coming.

“The most important details that we’re trying to focus on is taking care of the ball, and second is boxing out. So we got to make sure we keep them off the glass and take care of the ball and everything else will just fall into place. As long as we do those two things, I think we will be there.”

The Lakers open Game 1 against the Rockets on Saturday at home with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday. After that, the series will shift to Houston for Games 3 and 4.

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