D’Angelo Russell had a hard time in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets, but the team is not prepared to bench him just yet.
Russell struggled to make shots. He made only 6 out of 20 attempts from the field and just 1 out of 9 from beyond the arc. Russell played 41 minutes and ended with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He was the only Lakers’ starter with a positive plus-minus. Lakers coach Darvin Ham is sure Russell can improve.
“DLo is a big reason why we’re here in the first place,” Ham said after Game 1. “I’m not gonna give up on my player just because he’s missing the shots he usually makes.”
The opponent and playoff implications increase the criticism directed at Russell. Last year, he had a terrible performance against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Russell had his role reduced and averaged just 6.3 points per game on 32.3% shooting. He was benched before the closeout game.
Lakers Guard D’Angelo Russell Not ‘Mad’ After Rough Night
Getty ImagesLakers guard D’Angelo Russell had a tough shooting night against the Denver Nuggers.
Russell can be a key player for the Lakers when the shots are falling. He achieved a career-best 41.5% on his 3-pointers this season and scored 19 points in a Play-In win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Russell shot 50% from 3-point range in that game.
“I mean, I can’t be mad,” Russell said of his Game 1 struggles. “I don’t recall the last time I got 20 shots. So for me to get 20 good looks — not 20 ‘good,’ probably five or six of them were questionable. I know what I’m capable of. So, honestly, I’m excited. I’m excited about that.
“I just feel like sometimes the ball just don’t fall. I was focused on the details and the little things to try to stay on the floor defensively and things like that. And you look up, your shots aren’t falling. So, no love lost. Can’t be upset about that one. Be ready for the next one.”
Lakers Star Anthony Davis Shows Support for D’Angelo Russell
Getty ImagesLakers star Anthony Davis had some uplifting words for D’Angelo Russell.
Lakers star Anthony Davis also had some uplifting words for Russell. The All-Star forward told Russell to forget about the performance and get ready for the next one.
“Just get ready for Game 2,” Davis said. “We can’t do anything about this. But you can do something about Game 2. We know what D-Lo brings to our team. Offensively, he can score, shoot the ball extremely well. Just got to do it. It’s not a regular season game where we have time. We’re down 0-1.”
Davis and LeBron James carried the load for the Lakers in the loss. Davis recorded 32 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. James added 27 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. However, he also turned the ball over seven times. The Nuggets, as a team, only had six turnovers.
“You don’t have much room for error versus Denver’s team, especially at their home floor. They’re just a team that’s been through everything,” James said. “Obviously, they’re the defending champions, so you gotta execute, you gotta make shots, you gotta defend. And then you can’t give them extra possessions.”
The second game of the Lakers and Nuggets will happen on Monday.
