Insider’s Take: D’Angelo Russell Exposes Celtics’ ‘Dangerous’ Game in Lakers Win

Insider’s Take: D’Angelo Russell Exposes Celtics’ ‘Dangerous’ Game in Lakers Win

On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers outperformed the Boston Celtics with a superb team effort. Six Lakers ended in double figures as Los Angeles pulled off a huge upset over the NBA’s top team without LeBron James or Anthony Davis in the starting lineup. Austin Reaves‘ 32 points, D’Angelo Russell’s 14 assists, and Jarred Vanderbilt’s outstanding defense carried them to victory.

On Thursday, Russell was L.A.’s genuine floor general. With 14 assists, he is one shy of his career high and sets a season high. With a plus-16 score for the evening, he trailed Vanderbilt by only one point in the overall lead. Even though he only shot 5 for 20, he still managed to be productive and help the Lakers win.

However, each player that touched the court on Thursday made a difference for the Lakers. Together, they compensated for the loss of their two great players by playing outstanding basketball from start to finish. Russell said via Spectrum SportsNet that the Lakers were dangerous in response to the team’s effort:

“Huge. Vando got it going from the jump and it just became contagious throughout our group. like you said, LeBron and AD weren’t playing so we knew guys had to step up. I just thought it was an all-around team win, team effort. I could go down the list and name everybody, everybody pitched in.”

In typical leadership manner, Russell gave his teammates credit for playing their best ball and setting up 14 assists for him:

“Guys were making shots so I just tried to get guys the ball. Find the hot hand, AR had it going so just tried to continue to utilize that and it takes the pressure off everybody else if we continue to just feed that. Just keeping everybody involved, I thought everybody was dangerous tonight. Everybody, from Max Christie, to Jaxson Hayes, C-Wood got 10 shot attempts, he had the looks. Everybody was aggressive. It was a joy to watch.”

With James and Davis back in the mix, the Lakers are now trying to maintain that high level of play from the supporting cast. If they succeed in doing so, L.A.’s dismal season thus far may see a dramatic turn around.

Russell is well aware of the Lakers’ potential for danger, and Thursday night’s performance demonstrated what Los Angeles can become when all players are contributing.

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