D’Angelo Russell shows why Lakers didn’t trade him

With LeBron James out with an ankle harm, D’Angelo Russell stepped up with 44 factors, together with the game-winner, in a 123-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Russell bought previous Damian Lillard and drilled a jumper that gave Los Angeles a one-point lead that proved the distinction.

Down the stretch, the Lakers went to Russell again and again. On the earlier possession, he made a layup and drew a foul for a three-point play that bought L.A. inside one. On the possession earlier than that, Russell hit one in all his 9 three-pointers.

Overall, Russell accounted for 21 of the Lakers’ 27 factors within the fourth quarter. For the sport, he shot 17-for-25, including 9 assists and 6 rebounds. It wasn’t that Milwaukee wasn’t specializing in him down the stretch. They merely couldn’t cease him.

Russell completely picked up the scoring load from James after which some. While Anthony Davis is an All-Star, he’s not a participant who generates his personal offense down the stretch. Russell is.

It was a distinct guard who iced the sport on the finish, one additionally primarily recognized for offense. Spencer Dinwiddie blocked Lillard as time was operating out to seal the win.

Lakers followers might have been pissed off by the workforce’s lack of strikes on the trade deadline. But after holding onto Russell and signing Dinwiddie that week, GM Rob Pelinka appears to be like like a sensible man.