EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Bronny James has a bruised left heel, and he is listed as doubtful for the Los Angeles Lakers' next game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
The Lakers hadn't previously disclosed the injury for the 20-year-old son of LeBron James before he was included on their injury report Monday.
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South Bay Lakers guard Bronny James walks down the court during the second half of an NBA G League basketball game against the Salt Lake City Stars Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
South Bay Lakers guard Bronny James runs down the court during the first half of an NBA G League basketball game against the Salt Lake City Stars Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
South Bay Lakers guard Bronny James (9) sits on the bench during halftime of an NBA G League basketball game against the Salt Lake City Stars, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James greets his son guard Bronny James, right during warm-ups before an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Bronny James has been suiting up for both the Lakers and their G League affiliate since the South Bay Lakers' season began earlier this month. He has played 16 total minutes and scored four points in five NBA games, while he has played extensively in two G League games.
Bronny scored four points on 2-for-10 shooting while starting and playing 25 minutes for the South Bay Lakers in a loss to Stockton on Sunday night.
He scored six points in South Bay's season opener eight days earlier, playing both G League games with his parents in attendance at the Lakers' training complex.
LeBron and Bronny made NBA history last month as the first father and son to play in the NBA at the same time, let alone on the same team. They have yet to play together again, with Bronny's NBA playing time mostly confined to the end of games already decided.
The Lakers (9-4) are off to an outstanding start with five consecutive wins and a 6-0 record at home. LeBron has been formidable so far in his record-tying 22nd NBA season, racking up four consecutive triple-doubles before the streak ended in Los Angeles' win at New Orleans last Saturday.
Los Angeles also seems likely to be without starting forward Rui Hachimura (ankle) against the Jazz after he missed their past two games.
Hachimura didn't practice Monday, but “he's making a lot of progress,” coach JJ Redick said. The Lakers hope he will return to practice this week during the team's three game homestand.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
South Bay Lakers guard Bronny James walks down the court during the second half of an NBA G League basketball game against the Salt Lake City Stars Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
South Bay Lakers guard Bronny James runs down the court during the first half of an NBA G League basketball game against the Salt Lake City Stars Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
South Bay Lakers guard Bronny James (9) sits on the bench during halftime of an NBA G League basketball game against the Salt Lake City Stars, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James greets his son guard Bronny James, right during warm-ups before an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
ATLANTA (AP) — Undefeated Indiana's already impressive march through the College Football Playoff gained momentum as its dominant defense created three first-half touchdowns with turnovers, Fernando Mendoza threw five scoring passes and the Hoosiers overwhelmed No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday night.
No. 1 Indiana (15-0, No. 1 CFP) will face No. 10 Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami beat Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday night.
Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the last two seasons. Few teams from any conference can compare with the Hoosiers' season-long demonstration of balanced strong play.
Led by Mendoza and the defense, Indiana is making a case to be considered among the top teams in history.
Though Miami will be home for the national championship game, Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and Miami native, will enjoy a homecoming following an almost perfect game against Oregon. Mendoza completed 17 of 20 passes and the five touchdowns, including two to Elijah Sarratt and a 36-yarder to Charlie Becker.
Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead the Indiana running game.
Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was doomed by the three first-half turnovers while also being short-handed by the absence of two of their top running backs.
The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held out with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had rushed for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, already was listed as out with a collarbone injury.
Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided too little help for quarterback Dante Moore. Moore's task against Indiana's stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
Indiana's defense didn't wait long to make an impact. On Oregon's first snap, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore's pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense already had made a statement this would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.
Moore's 19-yard scoring pass to tight end Jamari Johnson tied the game. The remainder of the half belonged to Indiana and its big-play defense.
After Mendoza's 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. gave the Hoosiers the lead for good at 14-7, Indiana's defense forced a turnover when Moore fumbled and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up Black's scoring run.
Moore lost a second fumble later in the second quarter when hit by Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza's first scoring pass to Sarratt gave the Hoosiers' the 35-7 lead.
Indiana extended its lead to 42-7 on Mendoza's 13-yard scoring pass to E.J. Williams Jr.
Oregon finally answered. A 70-yard run by Hill set up a 2-yard scoring run by Harris.
Indiana's special teams added a big play in the fourth quarter when Ndukwe's blocked punt set up Mendoza's second scoring pass to Sarratt.
Following their undefeated regular season, the Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP. Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was an honorary captain for Indiana and watched the game from the Hoosiers' sideline. Former Oregon and Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was the Ducks' honorary captain.
Indiana completed a sweep of two games against Oregon this season. Defense played a lead role in each win. The Hoosiers took a 30-20 win at Oregon on Oct. 11 when Moore threw two interceptions and was sacked six times.
The game was a sellout and the red-clad Indiana fans were almost as dominant as the Hoosiers on the field. Indiana appeared to claim at least 80% of the 75,604 fans.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indiana running back Kaelon Black (8) carries against Oregon during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indiana defensive lineman Dominique Ratcliff (91) celebrates his sack during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries against Oregon during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) is sacked by Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones (46) and defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe (17) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Indiana defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe (17) pressures Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Indiana wide receiver Makai Jackson (2) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
