(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Anthony Davis is currently the Los Angeles Lakers’ best player.
That’s not a dig at LeBron James, as he’s had a great season, but no one should expect a soon-to-be 40-year-old to be the best player on an NBA team.
That’s also why the Lakers need someone else to step up if they want to stand a chance to get past the Denver Nuggets in the first round, let alone win an NBA championship.
Austin Reaves hasn’t been that guy, which is why some expected D’Angelo Russell to embrace that role.
Unfortunately, Russell has never fared well in the playoffs, and he didn’t get off to an encouraging start to this postseason either.
As shown by ClutchPoints on Twitter, Russell has struggled mightily against Mike Malone’s team, dating back to last year’s Western Conference Finals.
D’Angelo Russell’s last 5 playoff games vs. the Nuggets
13 PTS – 6-of-20 FG – 1-of-9 3PT
4 PTS – 2-of-4 FG – 0-of-1 3PT
3 PTS – 1-of-8 FG – 1-of-6 3PT
10 PTS – 3-of-8 FG – 1-of-5 3PT
8 PTS – 4-of-11 FG – 0-of-3 3PT
AVG: 7.6 PPG, 31.4% FG, 12.5% 3PT pic.twitter.com/Lj5RsbzQbO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 21, 2024
Russell has averaged 7.6 points on 31.4% from the field and 12.5% from beyond the arc in his last five playoff games against the Nuggets.
They might not be a good matchup for him, or maybe he’s just not a good playoff performer.
Notably, this was a recurring subject and a major concern with Russell.
Even when he was balling out and the Lakers decided to keep him instead of trading him, some questioned his ability to step up in the postseason.
Now, with the season on the line and Darvin Ham’s team desperately craving more help, he’s going to have to bounce back quickly before he shoots his way off the floor again.
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