Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures
One month after being the topic of commerce rumors, D’Angelo Russell has emerged as arguably crucial participant for the Los Angeles Lakers and their quest to make the playoffs.
Russell went off with 44 factors on 17-of-25 capturing (9-of-12 from three-point vary), 9 rebounds and 6 assists within the Lakers’ 123-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday evening.
Los Angeles was enjoying with out LeBron James, who’s nursing an ankle damage. The Lakers at the moment are 5-4 this season when he would not play.
Russell’s heroics overshadowed Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double with 34 factors, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in 39 minutes. Damian Lillard had his first double-double since Feb. 23 with 28 factors and 12 assists.
Among the many many highlights for Russell was hitting the game-winning shot with 5 seconds remaining.
NBA @NBA
D’Angelo Russell WENT OFF for 44 PTS and scored the game-winner to present the Lakers the sting over the Bucks!<br><br>🔥 44 PTS<br>🔥 9 3PM<br>🔥 9 AST<br>🔥 6 REB<br><br>▪️ Russell joins LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as the one gamers in Laker historical past with 9 3PM in a recreation <a href=”https://t.co/HYC2LQOGVx”>pic.twitter.com/HYC2LQOGVx</a>
Russell scored 21 of the staff’s 27 factors within the fourth quarter. He is the primary Lakers participant to have that many factors within the fourth quarter since Kobe Bryant’s remaining recreation.
Talking to reporters after his iconic efficiency, Russell had probably the greatest quotes of the season speaking about how previous adversity has formed his performances this season:
Lakers followers, who’ve a cold and warm relationship with Russell, are definitely very appreciative of what he is doing for the staff proper now. Bryant’s identify was evoked by multiple particular person popping out of this recreation.
zengreenyoda @zengreenyoda
Lakers win 😍😍😍<br>D’Angelo Russell went Kobe Bryant …he was unbelievable like mamba …I lobbied Jeanie Buss NOT TO TRADE Dlo. He’s our draft choose at quantity 2…He has earned his contract extension. I’m very pleased with him <a href=”https://t.co/ezI1ayyuSm”>pic.twitter.com/ezI1ayyuSm</a>
It wasn’t that way back when Atlanta Hawks followers have been chanting “we do not need you” at Russell amid rumors the Lakers needed to make use of him in a deal for Dejounte Murray previous to the commerce deadline.
For the reason that deadline handed on Feb. 8, Russell is averaging 21.6 factors on 45.0 p.c three-point capturing and 6.3 assists per recreation in 12 begins. He is scored at the least 20 factors seven instances and made at the least 4 threes six instances throughout that span.
The Lakers are 8-4 of their final 12 video games with wins over the Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. They nonetheless discover themselves within the play-in combine because the No. 9 seed within the Western Convention with a 35-30 file, 4 video games behind the Sacramento Kings (36-26) within the loss column for the seventh spot.
Subsequent up for the Lakers is a showdown with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Area on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET. Minnesota received the primary two conferences between these groups in December.