The Los Angeles Lakers look like a new team under head coach JJ Redick. With almost the same roster as last year, this team looks dramatically different, as they are performing at a high level. Players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura have been awesome. But one player who has actually underwhelmed is D’Angelo Russell.
In the first five games of the NBA season, D’Angelo Russell is averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game. He is currently shooting at 36.7% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc, and 100.0% from the stripe. Given how positively JJ Redick had spoken about Russell ahead of the season, this will come as a disappointment to start the season.
Russell started the season decently, with nine points, one rebound, five assists, and two steals against the Timberwolves. His shooting was not up to the mark on opening night, as he shot 4-12 from the field, and a staggering 1-7 from the three-point line. But fans were optimistic he would turn things around after a weak first game.
In his second game against the Phoenix Suns, his misfortunes continued, as he put up just five points, two rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. Another poor shooting night from Russell, where he shot just 1-6 from the field, 1-3 from the three-point line, but went a perfect 2-2 from the free-throw line.
The Lakers’ third consecutive win of the season seemed to mark an uptick for D’Angelo Russell, as he put up 16 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals, on 6-11 shooting from the field and 3-6 shooting from the field, while going 1-1 from the free-throw line.
D’Angelo Russell Underperforming In Wins And Losses
While his next game against the Suns was an average performance, with 14 points, one rebound, and nine assists, with no steals or blocks recorded, his shooting was still less than stellar. He shot 5-13 from the field, and 2-9 from beyond the arc, well below the standard he should be meeting. However, he did keep up his perfect free-throw record, going 2-2 from the line.
In the Lakers’ last game against the Cavaliers, he put up 10 points, three rebounds, five assists, zero blocks, and zero steals, while going 2-7 from the field and 0-3 from the three-point line. In fact, most of his points came from the stripe, as he went a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line.
Russell is a player that many Lakers fans have been frustrated with since his return to the franchise in 2023. While on his day, he can be an excellent scorer at an All-Star level, he rarely is able to maintain consistency. Furthermore, Russell is also a player who struggles when his form is bad and allows the negative comments and opinions surrounding him to affect his mentality.
Head coach JJ Redick will be hoping that Russell can turn things around tonight against the Toronto Raptors. Russell is currently listed as probable for the game despite suffering from back soreness. If he can turn things around tonight, it could help salvage his season, while also helping the Lakers regain their early momentum after two straight losses.
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