D’Angelo Russell even has ice in his veins in the desert at Lakers Summer League, knocking down a game-winning three vs Philadelphia
Second-year Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell was undoubtedly the star of the team’s first rendezvous at 2016 NBA Summer League as he notched a double-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and even three steals on the night.
However, Russell was held in check for most of the Lakers’ second game in Las Vegas against the Philadelphia 76ers. The feisty T.J. McConnell was up in his grill for most of the night defensively. When the outcome of the game was on the line, though, the young man that once proclaimed he had ice in his veins proved that’s not a season occurrence.
After the Sixers went up two points with 1.8 seconds left on the clock, Russell got the ball just to the right of the top of the key. Even with a good closeout from the defense up in his grill, Russell still got the shot off.
Game, set, buckets:
That’s exactly what you want to see from Russell if you’re the Lakers. Obviously this a game at Summer League that doesn’t mean a thing. However, you want one of the integral pieces of the young core taking the lead in that moment and being willing to take the shot with the win hangin in the balance.
And if he makes it, that’s just icing on the cake.
Despite his struggles, Russell finished strong with big buckets when it mattered most and the highlight of the night from Las Vegas. After his opening-night performance in the desert and then that shot to end his second outing, he’s going to have to have something special planned for the upcoming games if he wants to continue one-upping himself.