JJ Redick Reveals D’Angelo Russell Expectations Ahead of Nets-Lakers Rematch
Several players could have added motivation throughout The game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets on Friday in the Cripto.com Arena. Most notable is the Nets’ newly acquired point guard D’Angelo Russell.
After the disappearance Brooklyn’s historic 126-67 loss to the Clippers Russell will be active against the Lakers on Wednesday. Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick he expects his former point guard to be motivated during potential revenge.
“I expect him to come out and try to play a great game,” Redick told LakersNation’s Daniel Starkland after Thursday’s practice. “He has no lack of competitiveness. He takes pride in who he is as a player. I expect him to try to attack us tomorrow.”
The The Lakers traded Russell, along with Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picksto Brooklyn for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton on December 29th. The deal marked the second time Los Angeles traded its former second pick to the Nets.
D’Angelo Russell returns to the Nets lineup against the Lakers
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Russell played an important role for the Lakers last season after they reacquired him from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2023 trade deadline. He averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists while shooting a career-high 41.5 percent from three-for-7, 2 attempts per game.
However, he saw his role on offense diminish early this season after Redick took over as head coach. Clip of Redick reacting violently Russell’s three-point attempt went viral during a Nov. 6 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers coach moved the veteran guard to the bench for the next game.
Los Angeles posted a 3-4 record after the trade with Brooklyn. The Lakers ranked 13th in offense, 21st in defense and 20th in net rating over their first 31 games with Russell on the roster. They rank 12th in offense, 29th in defense and 22nd in net rating in the seven games since dealing him for Finney-Smith and Milton.
Russell, meanwhile, averaged 12.8 points and 8.3 assists on 41/33/93 shooting over four appearances with the Nets. He has missed five of Brooklyn’s nine games since joining the team with a calf injury.
2025-01-17 15:58:00
