LeBron describes why ‘there’s no space for mistake’ when playing Nuggets (0:49)
LeBron James speaks on the Game 1 loss to the Nuggets and describes why Nikola Jokic & & Co. are so hard to bet. (0:49)
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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Staff WriterApr 21, 2024, 01:33 AM ET
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- Lakers and NBA press reporter for ESPN.
- Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
DENVER– As much as the story of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season has actually been fixated the group aiming to offset its flameout in the Western Conference finals a year ago to chase after a champion, there’s likewise been an individual redemption arc for point player D’Angelo Russell.
Saturday’s 114-103 Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets, where Russell missed out on 13 of his last 16 shot efforts and scored 13 points, brought to mind some of his previous battles.
“D-Lo is a big reason that we’re here in the very first location,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated. “I’m not going to bail out on my gamer even if he’s missing out on the shots that he usually makes. Exact same shots were going in versus New Orleans [in the play-in tournament] and other video games that he’s played in to assist us get to this point. It simply wasn’t his night.”
After seeing his function minimized throughout the four-game sweep by the Nuggets in 2015 and losing his beginning task before the closeout video game, Russell re-signed with Los Angeles in the offseason. He endured the trade due date without being dealt, and his play from early January through completion of the routine season was an intense area for a Lakers group that entered the preliminary having actually won 12 out of 15 video games to protect the No. 7 seed.
His total production has actually been night and day compared to the 6.3 points on 32% shooting (13% from 3) and 3.5 helps he installed versus the Nuggets last May.
His numbers on Saturday– 30% shooting (6-for-20) and 11.1% from 3 (1-for-9) with 3 helps– echoed that headache of a series for him.
“I suggest, I can’t seethe,” Russell stated. “I do not remember the last time I got 20 shots. For me to get 20 great appearances– not 20 ‘great,’ most likely 5 or 6 of them were doubtful. I understand what I’m capable of. Truthfully, I’m thrilled. I’m ecstatic about that.”
Enjoyment would appear counterproductive thinking about the Nuggets have actually now won 9 straight video games versus the Lakers and host Game 2 on Monday at Ball Arena, where they connected for the second-best home record in the league throughout the routine season, going 33-8.
Russell firmly insisted on taking a practical view.