Lakers: D’Angelo Russell Joins Elite Company With 39 Point Outing
By Eric Yee
D’Angelo Russell gave Lakers fans quite a show Tuesday night, dropping 39 points on the helpless Brooklyn Nets
Just two months ago, D’Angelo Russell had his best performance ever scoring 29 points against the Sacramento Kings, leading the team all the way back from a 30 point deficit only to get hurt in the closing minutes of the game.
Despite losing the contest, Russell had a simple message for fans: “Y’all ain’t seen nothing yet.”
With that in mind, D’Angelo Russell made good on his word Tuesday night as he broke a multitude of NBA and Lakers’ records alike.
Scoring a career high 39 points in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Russell notched the most points by a rookie this season, a record that was previously held by Karl-Anthony Towns who scored 35.
In addition to breaking this year’s rookie scoring record, he also joined an elite company of players this season: those who have managed to score 39 or more points on 21 or less shot attempts.
So... Players to score 39+ on 21 or less shots this season:
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) March 2, 2016
CP3
Curry
Redick
George
Harden
Lowry
Klay
Westbrook
And now D'Angelo Russell.
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But that’s not all, Russell also joined Jahlil Okafor as the only rookie this year to have three consecutive games with 20 points or more, on top of joining the likes of sharp shooters Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady and Steve Nash to name a few, as players with eight three pointers in a game.
While it was being reported that with his 39 point outing, D’Angelo held the new record for most points scored by a Lakers rookie, Elgin Baylor actually broke that record in 1959, dropping 55 on the Cincinnati Royals.
Here are some more interesting facts about D’Angelo Russell’s big night.
D'Angelo Russell scored 39 in his 59th game. Kobe scored 39 in his 248th game.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) March 2, 2016
D'Angelo Russell (20 years, 7 days) is youngest player to have 39+ points in a single game since Kevin Durant had 42 (19 years, 200 days).
— 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐨 (@FlyByKnite) March 2, 2016
D'Angelo Russell's 8 made threes were the most threes made by a rookie in a single game since Reggie Williams had 8 on 12-08-2010.
— 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐨 (@FlyByKnite) March 2, 2016
It seems like only a few moments ago that critics everywhere were labeling D’Angelo Russell a bust so it’s nice to see him live up to his limitless potential.
Next: D'Angelo Russell Has Ice In His Veins
What do you think D’Angelo Russell’s ceiling is? Let us know in the comments below.