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D'Angelo Russell had a forgettable Game 1 in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs as the LA Lakers went down 103-114 to the Denver Nuggets. Russell's off-day was one of the difference-makers as the side now trail Denver 0-1 in the Western Conference postseason. The loss also meant the Lakers now have a 0-9 record against the Nuggets in the last nine games.
The guard came into the playoffs on the back of an impressive regular season but went 6-20 from the field and 1-9 from the deep in 40 minutes to finish with just 13 points, three rebounds, and as many assists.
However, head coach Darvin Ham reposed faith in his point guard, saying he would persist with Russell despite flaming out in the opener.
"DLo is a huge reason why we're here in the first place. I'm not gonna bail out on my player just because he's missing the shots he normally makes ... It wasn't his night. Shooters are gonna have nights like that. But I want him to remain aggressive. That was a good thing I saw. He remained aggressive. His energy remained great. He remained positive."
D'Angelo Russell was one of the players in focus leading into the playoffs, especially after his thin run last season, where he averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 16 games. This regular season saw him post 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists — the third-highest scorer behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Coming back to the game, Davis led the Lakers with 32 points and 14 rebounds. James had 27 points with six rebounds and eight assists. Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince had 13 and 11 points respectively.
For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic delivered again with 32 points and 12 rebounds. Jamal Murry was the perfect foil with 22 points and 10 assists. Michael Porter Jr. (19 points) and Aaron Gordon (12 points) chipped in timely buckets to help Denver go 1-0 in the seven-game series.
"Can't be upset about that one": D'Angelo Russell oozes optimism despite average Game 1 performance
While enough brickbats were headed his way following his below-par outing in Game 1, D'Angelo Russell wasn't stressed about the shooting struggles. Speaking to the media in the aftermath of the loss, the guard remained confident and said he was "excited" for the opportunities that would come his way in the matchups to come.
Russell also emphasized that there was no point in being hard on himself and that he had a larger role to play than just generating the offense.
"Great looks. I can't be mad. I don't recall the last time I got twenty shots. So for me to get twenty good looks -- not twenty 'good,' probably five or six of them were questionable. I know what I'm capable of. Honestly, I'm excited. I'm excited about that."
He further added:
"Sometimes the ball just don't fall. I was locked in on the details and the little things just to try to stay on the floor defensively and things like that. And you look up, your shots aren't falling. So, no love lost. Can't be upset about that one. Be ready for the next one."
The Lakers will need more from their backcourt of D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. Only time will tell if the two guards come good in the games to help LA get past the defending champions.
