D’Angelo Russell will now have one less game to surpass the newly acquired record.
Shortly before the start of the game, the team announced that Russell will not be playing against the Pacers due to a non-COVID illness. This comes just after he set a new record for most 3-pointers in a single season for the franchise.
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The Lakers have announced that D’Angelo Russell will not be playing tonight against the Pacers due to a non-COVID illness.
After Sunday’s game against the Pacers, the Lakers will embark on a road trip. It will be crucial for D’Lo to be in good health during this time. His scoring ability is irreplaceable, and without it, it will be challenging for the Lakers to consistently compensate for that absence.
Out of the Lakers’ 65 games this season, only Anthony Davis, Taurean Prince, and Austin Reaves have played more than Russell, with 66, 66, and 70 games respectively. It is noteworthy that when Russell was absent in 5 games, the Lakers have yet to secure a win.
Due to a tailbone injury, Russell was initially absent in January but has since consistently played in 33 of the last 34 Lakers games. The only game he was not able to participate in was against the Nuggets on Feb. 8 due to a knee procedure.
Both Cam Reddish and Max Christie have the potential to appear in the starting lineup, as they have both previously started games this season.
In the absence of his presence, the Lakers have several potential alternatives. It is anticipated that Taurean Prince will rejoin the team after sitting out Friday’s game for personal reasons and could potentially be reinserted into the lineup. Spencer Dinwiddie may also be a candidate to fill in, as his abilities most closely resemble those of D’Angelo Russell.