Lakers' Bronny James Receives Bad News Ahead of NBA Playoffs
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James was a steady face in the lineup for the Lakers during the 2025-26 season. The son of teammate and of 22-time NBA All-Star LeBron James was a second-round pick of Los Angeles in the 2024 draft, and spent his first two professional seasons going between the NBA and the G League.
In 42 appearances this season, the 21-year-old native of Akron, Ohio, averaged 8.9 minutes per game, putting up 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per contest. In his 14 appearances with the G League South Bay Lakers, James scored 15.6 points per game to go along with 3.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
While James' minutes have been limited throughout the 2025-26 season in the NBA, he has undoubtedly played a role in the Lakers' success. Los Angeles finished the regular season with a record of 53-29, solidifying itself as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference for the playoffs.
James and the Lakers will take on the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, beginning on Saturday. Before that, though, James received some bad news regarding his own logo with Nike.
"New on @ESPN: Nike's trademark application for Bronny James' "B9" logo was refused by the US Patent & Trademark Office because it is too similar to a logo from a Texas-based golf company," said ESPN reporter Michael Rothstein.
New on @ESPN: Nike's trademark application for Bronny James' "B9" logo was refused by the US Patent & Trademark Office because it is too similar to a logo from a Texas-based golf company: https://t.co/yZ1FHaz9lv
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) April 14, 2026
The United States Patent and Trademark Office denied Nike's application because James' "B9" logo was too similar to the logo made by Back9 Golf Apparel. Both of the "B9" logos were filed for clothing and apparel usage, according to Rothstein.
Nike debuted James' "B9" logo on the back of the LeBron Witness IX shoes this season with the Lakers.
LeBron IX Witness PER for Bronny inspired by his recovery and journey back to the court. pic.twitter.com/NyR1VzgwKA
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) April 12, 2026
Nike has three months to appeal the decision made by the USPTO, or the company can ask Back9 to approve of James' logo, which would allow the trademark to pass.
James and the Lakers begin their playoff run against the Rockets in Game 1 of the first round at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The game will air nationally on ABC.
Related: LeBron James Reacts to Bronny James, DeAndre Ayton Turnover Against Warriors
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 12:38 AM.