Russell, who has been blazing since the beginning of January, destroyed Milwaukee on Friday.
For the past three years, it seems like we have been discussing the Lakers acquiring a third star. Let me tell you, they already have one when D’Angelo Russell plays like this.
On Friday, without LeBron James due to an ankle injury, Russell went off for 44 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, as the Lakers defeated the Bucks 123-122 to record one of their biggest victories of the year.
Every victory is significant at this time in the season, as the Lakers are two games behind the No. 8 Mavericks in the loss column and play nightly teeter-totter with the Warriors on the 9–10 seed line. But defeating the Bucks in LeBron’s absence is a surprise victory. It nearly seems like two victories.
Russell scored 44 points, which is the second-highest total of his career (he scored 52 against Minnesota in 2019 while playing for the Golden State Warriors). This is the most points he has scored while with the Lakers. Of the 12 3-pointers, he made nine. With 5.9 seconds remaining, he scored what turned out to be the game-winning run, one more in a long string of delicate floaters that Russell, probing at his sluggish pace, seemed to be able to reach whenever he pleased.
Russell stated in his on-court postgame interview, “I just tried to do whatever I could, honestly — scoring, assisting, whatever it may be, whatever [the team] need[s] for me.” “I made an effort to arrange people so they could perform at their best. Since LeBron was sidelined, several men volunteered.”
It is accurate. Russell and Austin Reaves combined for a huge 18 points and seven assists, sharing the creative chores. Giannis Antetokounmpo looked to elbow Anthony Davis in the shoulder or chest, causing him to play the remainder of the game with only one arm. Davis had been excellent in the first half. Trevor Ariza blocked Damian Lillard’s attempt to win the game with a jump shot.
But Russell was the man, joining LeBron and Kobe Bryant as the only Lakers players in history to make nine 3-pointers in a single game. As he has been doing for a while, he set up teammates early and provided buckets whenever the Lakers needed them in the closing minutes.
Russell has been playing well, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “He’s been unbelievable.”
Russell has averaged 22 points and over six assists per game over the last 28 games, or over three assists to one turnover. Above all, he is hitting 45% of his nearly nine 3-point attempts per game.
For a Lakers team that lacks both shooting and shot creation, it is hard to emphasize the significance of that type of performance. Naturally, Russell has always had a knack for scoring. Simply put, not that effective. And not like this all the time.
To be the best version of himself, Russell must be an offensive focal point, which is challenging because he has played on teams with players like James and Stephen Curry. With two of the greatest players of all time on the court behind Russell, it’s hard to defend passing the ball to him. Russell typically isn’t productive enough as a spot-up player to make up for his defensive shortcomings.
Russell has been given the go-ahead by the Lakers, though, and his confidence—which he has always had in spades—is skyrocketing. Talks about his defense will undoubtedly come up if and when the Lakers get into a postseason series, but if he keeps playing this way, such talks will soon come to naught.
This is real-deal superstar stuff, and it’s unfolding in a cool, collected way. These days, Russell is not pressuring anyone. This represents the highest level of commitment and buy-in to the team’s overarching goals and multi-layered needs that I have ever seen from him. James and Davis are the reasons the Lakers are a threat. The X-factor is Russell. This team can compete with and defeat any team in a seven-game series if he continues on this path.