Lakers News: D'Angelo Russell Speaks On Huge Game Vs New Orleans
The Los Angeles Lakers will be the seventh seed in the 2024 NBA playoffs after squeezing out a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers controlled the game for most of it; however, the Pelicans made a strong comeback but ultimately fell short.
A big reason for the win was Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell. Russell did his thing on offense, as he's done all season long, including a clutch corner three-pointer to extend the Lakers' lead from one to four with less than a minute left in the contest.
After the game, Russell spoke to Spectrum SportsNet sideline reporter Mike Trudell and unpacked his performance.
"That was my main focus, just trying to lock in to what our objective was and to play as hard as I can," Russell said.
The 28-year-old was spectacular in Tuesday's do-or-die game. He was second on the team in scoring, dropping 21 points, six assists, one steal, and one block while being a +16 in the plus/minus department. Three of his 21 points came on this clutch three in the game's closing minute.
The Lakers will need Russell to play just like that and more if they want any shot at defeating the defending champion, the Denver Nuggets. It should be one hell of a series, and one where DLo seeks to avenge all the demons from last year's Western Conference Finals.
Russell will be the X-factor for LA in this series.
