THE the Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of a playoff campaign. On Friday, the Lakers faced the difficult task of slowing down Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the best players in the NBA.
The Lakers used the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft on D’Angelo Russell. The point guard’s time in Los Angeles appeared to end when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2017 offseason. But after playing for a few other NBA teamsRussell was sent back to the Lakers in 2023.
Russell has played well during the 2023-24 season, but on Friday night he made the most of his second stint with the Purple and Gold.
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DAngelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after shooting during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena on March 8, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Russell stepped up when it mattered most, scoring 21 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter, and kicked the go-ahead goal with 5.9 seconds left to propel the Lakers to a 123-122 victory. the dollars.
Russell’s clutch performance was especially important as four-time NBA champion LeBron James sat out the game to rest his sore left ankle. James limped off the court with four minutes remaining in the Lakers’ loss to Sacramento on Wednesday night due to the latest flare-up of an ankle injury that has hampered the team. NBA top scorer story throughout its 21st season.
After the game, Russell took a moment to reflect on some of the ups and downs he faced during his professional basketball career.
D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
The 28-year-old suggested the “public humiliation” just made him better.
“With my skill and skill on the court, I always felt like I was capable of doing things. Being hot makes things a little more exciting throughout a game,” Russell said via the Los Angeles Times. “On the ground, obviously, you know what I went through. The public humiliation only made me the killer that you all see today. And, uh, I never lack confidence. I Never be afraid of confrontation. I want all the smoke.”
D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores the winning basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Russell is averaging 18.1 points per game, along with 6.2 assists per game this season.
“D-Lo just came in and won us the game, and obviously with Spence on defense on that last possession,” Russell’s teammate Austin Reaves said. “Just seeing D-Lo get back into the game, I kept telling him during the timeouts, ‘Take us home.’”
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Russell’s name was linked to several trade rumors before last month’s NBA trade deadline. The Lakers ultimately decided to keep the point guard, and it seems that this decision is paying off.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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