D’Angelo Russell has become maybe the most crucial player for the Los Angeles Lakers and their playoff ascent, a month after he was the focus of trade speculations.
In the Lakers’ 123-122 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, Russell had a huge game with 44 points on 17 of 25 shots (9 of 12 from three-point range), nine rebounds, and six assists.
LeBron James, who is recovering from an ankle ailment, was not in the game for Los Angeles. When he is not playing, the Lakers are now 5-4 this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in 39 minutes, but Russell’s heroics stole the show. With 28 points and 12 assists, Damian Lillard recorded his first double-double since February 23.
Russell’s game-winning shot with five seconds left was one of his many highlights.
Of the team’s 27 points in the fourth quarter, Russell scored 21 of them. Since Kobe Bryant’s last game, he is the first Lakers player to score that many points in the fourth quarter.
Russell gave one of the season’s finest statements when he spoke to media after his memorable performance, explaining how his previous difficulties had influenced his performances this year:
Although their feelings for Russell are erratic, Lakers supporters are undoubtedly grateful for what he’s accomplishing for the club at the moment. Numerous others were inspired to mention Bryant after this match.
Not very long ago, chants of “we don’t want you” were being directed at Russell by Atlanta Hawks supporters in response to reports that the Lakers intended to use him in a trade for Dejounte Murray before the trade deadline.
Russell has averaged 21.6 points on 45.0 percent three-point shooting and 6.3 assists per game in 12 starts since the deadline passed on February 8. In that period, he has hit at least four three-pointers six times and scored at least 20 points seven times.
With victories against the Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers have an 8-4 record in their last 12 games. With a 35-30 record and four games behind the Sacramento Kings (36-26) for the seventh slot in the Western Conference, they are still in the running for a play-in berth as the No. 9 seed.
The Lakers’ next game is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The first two games between these two teams in December were won by Minnesota.
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