” We expect him to be our spark. This is what Darvin Ham was showing about D’Angelo Russellahead of the reception of the Raptors, against which the playmaker was making his return, after six games in a row missed due to a sprained ankle.
The coach thus reviewed the qualities of the former Wolves player: His size, his talent, his IQ… He’s a smart and very talented basketball player. He is also smart in defense. […] And the fact that he comes out of this injury is timely with LeBron’s situation. (James), so we’re really looking forward to it. »
And the expected spark has sprung up in the game of the Lakers. The latter have more than once been jostled by the Canadians in this playoff game.
In the middle of the third quarter, Scottie Barnes and his gang regained a twelve-point lead (75-87). Several men from the LA bench — Wenyen Gabriel, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves — primed the California reaction.
A last quarter on fire
On a 3-point basket from Dennis Schroder, the locals even went back in front at the start of the fourth quarter (93-92). But behind, D’Angelo Russell, who had already suffered a serious heat stroke in the second quarter, took matters into his own hands.
A first 3-point basket in transition in first intention, a decisive pass to Gabriel on the “pick-and-roll”, a new award-winning shot in transition, a “jumper” starting on his right hand… The left-hander planted 16 of his 28 points (10/17 on shots including 5/8 from afar) in this last period.
“ I know because I’ve played here before: the fans are ready to explode at certain points in the game. I just wanted to bring that energy and give it to them. This should not go unnoticed, because our fans are the first to support a player who is on the right pace. So why not make it right, bring that positive energy and embrace what our fans have to offer? “, asks the 27-year-old player, who wanted to bring back “ pleasure within the Lakers.
Pleasure but also more stability in the position of leader, occupied for six games exclusively by Dennis Schroder. He suffered in skill (14 points at 36% on shots) but rather ensured creation (8.5 assists for only 2 lost balls).
Support for Dennis Schroder
” It’s hard to be the only traditional playmaker in the team. The return of Russell and the opportunity for Dennis to see this first wave and know when it comes into play what needs to be done, what needs to be corrected or maintained, is really a luxury. When (Russell) sit down, we have another organizer who comes to help us set the tone “Judge Darvin Ham.
This night off the bench, his second leader brought 23 points (8/17), 7 assists (but 6 lost balls) and 4 interceptions. He is not the only one to have contributed from the bench: Rui Hachimura scored 16 points (7/9) while Austin Reaves signed 18 points (6/10) and 5 assists.
So many welcome contributions as Anthony Davis, natural statistical leader in the absence of LeBron James, signed his lowest performance of the season – excluding injury – with only 8 points (4/7) and 9 rebounds. ” The fact that we were able to win this game against a very good team with only eight points (from Davis) is a sign of progress. It shows our depth and talent “, can welcome Darvin Ham.
Enthusiasm shared by D’Angelo Russell according to whom this team has all the potential necessary to take off: Our guys are ready, they’re hungry and these fans are going to get us through a lot with their energy. We are ready to fight and return the courtesy to the franchise. »
| D’Angelo Russell | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | ALL | 80 | 28 | 41.0 | 35.1 | 73.7 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 13.2 |
| 2016-17 | ALL | 63 | 29 | 40.5 | 35.2 | 78.2 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 15.6 |
| 2017-18 | BRK | 48 | 26 | 41.4 | 32.4 | 74.0 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 15.5 |
| 2018-19 | BRK | 81 | 30 | 43.4 | 36.9 | 78.0 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 7.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 21.1 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 45 | 32 | 42.6 | 36.7 | 80.9 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 23.1 |
| 2019-20 * | GOS | 33 | 32 | 43.0 | 37.4 | 78.5 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 23.6 |
| 2019-20 * | MIN | 12 | 33 | 41.2 | 34.5 | 87.3 | 0.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 42 | 29 | 43.1 | 38.7 | 76.5 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 19.0 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 65 | 32 | 41.1 | 34.0 | 82.5 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 7.1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 18.1 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 58 | 32 | 46.4 | 38.9 | 85.0 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 17.6 |
| 2022-23 * | MIN | 54 | 33 | 46.5 | 39.1 | 85.6 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 17.9 |
| 2022-23 * | ALL | 4 | 25 | 44.2 | 35.3 | 76.9 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 13.5 |
| Total | 482 | 30 | 42.4 | 36.0 | 78.9 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 17.7 | |
