D’Angelo Russell’s Clutch Game Stuns NBA Fans as LeBron, Lakers Beat Zion, Pelicans
LOS Angeles, CA February 9: D’Angelo Russell #1 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 9, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
If D’Angelo Russell can sustain his recent performance for the next two months, the Los Angeles Lakers might be dangerous in the Western Conference playoff race.
Russell dropped a 30 points in the Lakers’ 139-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. He shot 9-of-19 overall and made six of the team’s 14 three-pointers.
It was a historic night for the entire Lakers’ starting unit. All five players scored at least 20 points, making them the first team to accomplish that since 1993. It’s the first time the Lakers have done it since Nov. 4, 1984.
One of the main criticisms of the Lakers throughout this season has been their inability to make shots from three-point range. They rank at the bottom of the league in three-point attempts per game (30.6), 29th in makes per game (11.3) and 15th in success rate (36.8 percent).
Russell is doing everything in his power to change that narrative. It has led to a lot of praise for the 27-year-old, who has become one of the most important players on the team after being the subject of trade rumors leading up to the deadline.
Russell’s brilliant shooting performance and the overall success from the starting unit against the Pelicans overshadowed another strong game from LeBron James. The 20-time All-Star finished with 21 points and 14 assists in 38 minutes.
This was the 12th straight game James has scored at least 20 points. The 14 assists tied his season-high, previously done on Dec. 15 against the San Antonio Spurs.
When watching the Lakers put together a performance like they had on Friday night, it’s not hard to figure out why this team has been so polarizing all season.
There are ways to convince yourself this is actually one of the best teams in the Western Conference on any given night, but there are plenty of moments when it looks like they are completely inept in at least one facet of the game
