Bronny James showing his stuff with an increase in playing time

The play brought the entire Lakers bench to its feet. Austin Reaves’ sky-high lob pass and Bronny James’ twohanded dunk brought a roar from the crowd.

- By Tuuc Nui NeuyEn

JESSIE ALCHEH Associated Press BRONNY JAMES dunks for his first points of the season in the Lakers' win over Miami last Sunday. James has earned coach JJ Redick's trust and received important rotation minutes over the last few games.

ATLANTA The play brought the entire Lakers bench to its feet. Austin Reaves' sky-high lob pass and Bronny James' twohanded dunk brought a roar from the crowd.

The emphatic dunk against Miami was James' first points of the season, but he saw them as just two more in what he hopes will be a long NBA journey.

"It was just a regular moment for me," James said, not even having to conceal a smile after the Lakers' shootaround Saturday, almost a week after the highlight. "... I want to continue to do that, but I just have to keep giving my all, keep playing hard, running in transition and getting stops on the defensive end for my team." James is trying to make his contributions, both big and small, regular occurrences for the shorthanded Lakers as they continue to dig into their bench.