In 2015, The Los Angeles Lakers selected D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. Russell had a widely publicized up-and-down career with the club.
As a Laker, Russell averaged 14.3 points per game and four assists per game, shooting 40.8 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three.
Two years after being drafted, the Lakers traded Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma. Russell’s exit was fueled by former Laker president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson. Johnson said Russell wasn’t a “leader” after his Snapchat incident with Nick Young.
Now, in 2019, Russell is suiting up as one of the leaders of the Golden State Warriors against the team that drafted him for the first time.
Since leaving Los Angeles, Russell has faced the Lakers four times in his career, currently averaging 18.8 points per game against them.
Russell’s best night versus the Lakers came in December of 2018, where he scored 22 points and added 13 assists. Russell knocked down four triples in the game. He’ll look to add to those numbers as he’s currently on a hot streak. In the last four games, the young guard is averaging 36.2 points per game and seven assists over that span.
D’angelo Russell last 4 games
VS UTA: 33 PTS, 2 REB, 8 AST, 52%
VS OKC: 30 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST, 53%
VS MIN: 52 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 51%
VS SA: 30 PTS, 3 REB, 8 AST, 38%pic.twitter.com/9G60ZfsZRn
— ❄️DLO❄️ (@IceyDLO) November 12, 2019
Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Anthony Davis would miss the contest. The superstar has been battling shoulder and rib soreness and was given the night off considering the Lakers will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Without a doubt, Russell would like to score a win over his first time, especially as he suits up against them for the first time as a division rival.