D’Angelo Russell Placed in Stephen Curry’s Ranks After Heroics vs Pelicans

D’Angelo Russell takes point as the Los Angeles Lakers crush the Pelicans 139-122 tonight! So much so that multiple players are coming forward to give Russ his flowers. Aside from the general struggles of LA, D’Lo has had an underwhelming season. That was a primary reason the team had put him on the trade block ahead of the deadline. But Russell’s recent performances leading up to the trade deadline have been nothing short of impressive.

Tonight was no less. And he received well-deserved praise from none other than ex-Lakers legend, James Worthy. Having spent his entire career with LA, the 3x champion knows a true Laker when he sees one. And tonight, he saw that in D’Angelo Russell.

“He is the key. … He does have that Steph Curry effect when he’s hot. … We’re 0-5 without him. That’s not by accident. … Every team needs that person, and he’s been that guy.”

It’s true that D’Lo is untouchable when he is on a fiery streak. So, it’s not a surprise that Worthy would compare him to the Warriors superstar. Steph is virtually impossible to guard in normal circumstances. We don’t even have to go to the part where he is on one of his crazy streaks!

Having sat out in the last game against the Denver Nuggets, the 2019 All-Star was determined not to let the Lakers accept another defeat. Russ finished the night with 30 points, five assists, and two rebounds. He shot nine of 19 field goals while draining 6-of-13 from downtown.

The second quarter saw D’Lo working his magic, scoring 14 straight points, leaving little to no breathing space for the Pelicans. The 27-year-old impressed LeBron James, giving him due flowers for his dominant performance. “His range is pretty uncanny.”

Looking at his stats from January shows that D’Lo has been quite consistent with his performances. Except for the Hawks vs Lakers game on the 30th, Russell has a double-digit score in every single game. Though not anywhere close to the numbers he put up before, it’s still a great improvement. But tonight was also a group effort.

The Lakers join hands to get the win

Joining D’Angelo Russell on a big scoring night was Austin Reaves. He finished with 27 points, four assists, and two points tonight. The crowd-favorite 25-year-old showcased his skill set, reminding everyone why the Purple & Gold signed him. His specials for the night included long jumpers, mid-range shots, and an open dunk.

Read More: “Keep Taking the Hate”: D’Angelo Russell Laughs Off Trade Deadline Scare After 30-Point Outburst vs Pelicans

Since we are on the topic of players who have showcased impressive comebacks, the list won’t be complete without Rui Hachimura. Landing just two points, zero assists, and four rebounds vs the Nuggets, tonight saw Hachimura with 21 points, one assist, and five rebounds. His strong performance was on full display when guarding Zion Williamson in possessions.

Anyway, tonight showed what the LA Lakers can accomplish when they work together. It’s not a strange sight to see, of course. This is the kind of performance fans expect from the dynasty!

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