For many Los Angeles Lakers fans, no player was more polarizing than D’Angelo Russell.
His time in LA was marked by incredible highs and equally incredible lows. However, he has been crucial to the Purple and Gold’s regular-season success and has provided some game-changing playoff moments.
For this reason, and because in many ways, he will always be a Laker legend. Let’s examine the top 10 moments of his second stint in the bright lights of Hollywood:
10. Helping to Secure the Win an All-Time Classic
Every time that LeBron James and Stephen Curry face off against each other, it’s a spectacle. Of course, the Christmas game was incredibly fun, but last season, a double-OT classic defined the rivalry. D’Angelo Russell played a key role in deciding this battle, hitting a big three when the Lakers were down by two in double overtime.
After having a tough first half, Russell bounced back in a big way with this shot and closed out a Lakers win.
9. D’Angelo Russell Breaks 10,000 Career Points Against His Former (and Current) Team
Of all his moments as a Laker, this one might be one of his most underrated.
Amid a record-breaking 2023-24 season, Russell crossed 10,000 career points. The special part was that it was against the Brooklyn Nets, the team he was previously on and is currently on. He hit a smooth, silky midrange jumper to round out a solid 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists in a win. This achievement was a true testament to his longevity and how far he has come in the NBA.
He even had a funny reaction on X/Twitter about it.
8. Russell Outclasses the Pistons and Proves He is One of One
On November 23rd, 2023, Russell showed why he is such an offensive maestro at times, scoring 35 points while dishing nine assists.
Even more impressively, he was the first Laker since Kobe Bryant to put up these numbers on 75% shooting from the field. His explosive scoring and playmaking ability will undoubtedly be missed.
7. D’Angelo Russell Loves Playing the Utah Jazz Part 1: Trade Deadline D’Lo
No team probably lives in fear of Russell more than the Utah Jazz.
During the 2023-24 Season, rumors began circulating that D’Angelo Russell would be traded. He had a rough start to the season, and many fans wanted him gone.
However, on this day, Trade Deadline D’Lo was born. On a night without LeBron, Russell put up 39 points and eight assists to keep the Lakers within striking distance.
They would eventually lose, but Russell proved he was a lot better than people made him out to be. After the game, Russell stated, “It was just fun.”
6. D’Angelo Russell Loves Playing the Utah Jazz Part 2: Career-High 17 Assists
If there’s one thing you must understand about Russell, it’s that he loves putting on a show.
He gave all the fans in Utah a little glimpse of what the Showtime Lakers looked like in this performance. More importantly, he broke his career assist record in a purple and gold uniform with 17 assists in a blowout win.
5. A Clutch Three to Send Los Angeles to the Playoffs
At the end of the 2023-2024 NBA season, Laker fans will experience a crucial time: the NBA play-in game.
Last season, the Lakers faced an especially daunting task: To enter the playoffs, they would have to beat the Pelicans twice in a row. The first win was an easy blowout victory, and the second game started out the same way.
Unfortunately for the Lakeshow, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram began playing excellent basketball and snatched the momentum from LA. With the Lakers up just one point with 50 seconds left, Russell drained a corner three, securing the seventh seed.
4. LeBron Forces a D’Angelo Heat Check
In a blowout win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, D’Angelo Russell had one of the most iconic moments of his second stint as a Laker.
With the Lakers cruising to victory, Russell showed what makes him so special. He scored three-pointer after three-pointer, with each one ratcheting up in difficulty. Before he took the last one, he passed the ball to LeBron, who made a hilarious face and passed it right back. Then, D’Lo electrified all of the Crypto.com arena.
3. A 9-0 Run Upsets the Grizzlies
While it’s easy for Lakers fans to remember the lowlights of D’Angelo’s 2022 playoff run, everyone forgets how crucial Russell was in securing the Lakers’ position in the first round.
The young, hungry Memphis Grizzlies were up 97-90 in Game 4 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs and ready to tie the series at 2-2. Instead, D’Angelo Russell went on a personal 9-0 run to take the lead and win the game. This win would give the Lakers a 3-1 lead and eventually the series.
2. Breaking the Lakers Single-Season Three-Point Shooting Record
There’s not much else to say here other than to acknowledge how much Russell has done while wearing a Lakers jersey.
Russell would have a career year during the 2023-2024 season, and against the Philadelphia 76ers, he beat Nick Van Exel’s three-point record. The Lakers are a historic franchise, and to have a record like this to his name is beyond impressive.
It’s one of the reasons Russell will always be remembered for his time in the Purple and Gold.
1. All-Star Numbers and a Game-Winner in Milwaukee
The best is always saved for last.
This is one of the best games of D’Angelo Russell’s career, and it is awesome that he had it in a Lakers uniform. Without LeBron and on the road in Milwaukee, Russell put up 44 points while going 9-for-12 from three and hit a game-winning floater to win the game with 5.9 seconds left.
He did this against a full-strength Milwaukee Bucks team and looked like the best player on the floor. It just so happened that he was sharing the floor with Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that did not matter.
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