D’Angelo Russell made history for the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the 2023-24 season. Los Angeles is still led by its superstar duo Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but it was Russell who surprised by having the best streak of his NBA career.
Since January 13 – 29 games for Russell – the Lakers guard has posted 22.1 points and 6.8 assists per game on shooting splits of 47.3/45.3/85.2.
It was largely due to Russell’s play that the Lakers were able to keep their season afloat when it seemed like things were falling apart. Even though the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference isn’t really where Los Angeles wants to be, it’s hard to imagine where they would be if Russell hadn’t played the way he did. His play kept him with the Lakers until the trade deadline and this may have given him leverage this offseason.
Everyone on the Lakers was impressed to see Russell play at this level. But Davis is especially happy for the veteran guard after tying the franchise’s single-season 3-point record against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday and cementing this season in Lakers history.
“Phenomenal. Obviously he can score at will,” Davis said. “His shooting ability has been great for us all season. He gets hot at any time. I told him he could have broken it if he hadn’t made the three bad threes that he shot, I think, to start the fourth. He just threw it up there. And he said, ‘I know.’
“But he’s able to go out there and fill up the stat sheet with his scores. It’s a big thing for him, a big thing for us as a team. Obviously there’s a lot going on around DLo and just to be able to do that and us hug him and him see that and feel the love, it’s good for him. He will definitely break it on Friday.
Part of what has allowed Russell to find success this season is the unequivocal support of his teammates. The Lakers have shown Russell so much love, both through his success and when he was struggling and on the trading block. This type of support can boost a player’s confidence.
Now Russell can finish the season knowing he did everything he could to prove what he can do when he is at his best. And maybe he can help the Lakers put together another late-season run in the meantime.
D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis notice LeBron James locked up
Russell explained how James got started resume matches in the final stretch of the season and how he can still dominate after so many years in the league.
“I mean, yeah,” Russell said. “His play obviously shows it. Knowing that there are 13 or 14 games left? I think everyone has that in mind, knowing that we’re coming to the end of the season, the regular season, etc. I’m trying to be in shape mentally and physically in the playoffs. Physically he’s still there, mentally I feel like he’s still there too. I mean, he’s still dominating the game at this age, so I still feel like he’s there too. So yeah, I guess.
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